With the Passage of Legislation in Maine,
All 50 States Now Have at Least One Pillar of Rape Kit Reform
For Immediate Release
Contact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org
NEW YORK — In a testament to the power of sustained, survivor-centered advocacy, the End the Backlog Campaign has achieved a long-awaited milestone: all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have enacted at least one of its pillars of rape kit reform. (Six Pillars of Rape Kit Reform)
This sixteen-year advocacy effort has been fueled not only by End the Backlog and Joyful Heart, but by survivors, survivor-advocates, local advocacy groups, other key stakeholders, along with every person who sent letters to their legislators, educated their community, and elevated this national crisis.
“Today marks a watershed moment for every survivor who has asked if their rape kit was forgotten, if their truth was abandoned on a shelf, if they have hope of finding justice,” said Mariska Hargitay, founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation.
“This did not happen overnight. Survivors spoke their truth. Advocates refused to let urgency become complacency. Legislators championed a cause that demanded their persistence and years of dedicated work. That’s how change happens.
“To the survivors who have carried this cause in their hearts: this milestone belongs to you. We are far from done, but how glorious to take this moment to honor how far we have come together.”
“This milestone is indeed cause for celebration,” said Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation, “yet our work continues: the majority of states have not met all six pillars of reform, there are thousands of kits yet to be tested, many laws that have not been implemented, and too many survivors are unable to find justice and healing. As we recognize the work that we have done together, let us strengthen our resolve to continue until every kit is tested and the backlog is relegated to history.”
Since 2010, the Joyful Heart Foundation’s End the Backlog initiative has been the driving force behind this national movement, transforming early lessons from cities like Detroit into the Six Pillars of Rape Kit Reform: a comprehensive, survivor-focused framework that became the national standard.
Joyful Heart has created the premier national resource about the rape kit backlog, which includes an interactive map and resources for survivors, legislators, and the media. Learn more at: ENDTHEBACKLOG.org.
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The mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever. www.joyfulheartfoundation.org