For Immediate Release: June 24, 2022
Contact: Olivia Hall, media@endthebacklog.org
NEW YORK – It is truly rare that a single piece of legislation has such a deep impact on survivors. With the passage of SB3039/HB7079 in Rhode Island, the Joyful Heart Foundation is thrilled to congratulate the Rhode Island state legislature and thank Majority Floor Leader Representative Edwards for his steadfast work over two years to make this vital bill a reality. We also want to recognize the support of Senator Mack who helped guide the bill through the Senate.
Currently, Rhode Island has fulfilled none of Joyful Heart’s six pillars of rape kit reform. This bill will grant Rhode Island four pillars with language that calls for an inventory of untested kits, mandates testing of old and newly collected kits, and grants victims the right to information regarding the status of their kit.
The extent of the untested rape kit backlog in Rhode Island is unknown. When tested, the DNA in rape kits can connect different sexual assault crimes together, identifying serial rapists and repeat offenders. Recent research has found offenders who commit sexual assault often are engaged in other crimes, such as burglary, assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and homicide. Testing all rape kits can identify prolific criminals whose crimes and the resulting justice proceedings exasperate existing systems and communities that are already stretched to their limit. With the signing of SB3039/HB7079, an inventory and the testing of both new and backlogged kits will be immediately mandated.
“Across the country, each untested rape kit represents both a survivor who has had evidence collected from their body and a potential serial criminal who has escaped responsibility and has been left on the streets to commit more crime,” says Representative Edwards of Rhode Island’s 70th District. “House Bill 7079 will add Rhode Island to the growing list of states making rape kit testing a permanent and effective system that will stand through changing priorities and leadership. Residents of Rhode Island deserve safety and survivors in Rhode Island deserve a chance at justice and healing today, tomorrow, and forever.”
“This legislation makes great strides towards the transformation of Rhode Island into a state that has strong, meaningful rape kit reform that supports survivors. This multifaceted legislation truly supports and prioritizes survivors’ and their needs within the criminal justice system and on their own healing journeys,” says Ilse Knecht, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation.
If you would like an interview or additional comment by Ilse Knecht, please feel free to contact me to set up an interview. Additionally, you can learn more about our legislative efforts in Rhode Island at http://www.endthebacklog.org/Rhode-Island.
###
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