Resources for Legislators
The most effective tool we have for ending the rape kit backlog is clear, survivor-centered, trauma-informed legislation that holds law enforcement to account. Since its inception, End The Backlog has worked alongside legislators to help inform their bills such that each piece of legislation serves survivors and their communities. We encourage legislators to review some of the resources below to inform their work in ending the backlog in their state.
Ending the rape kit backlog will take a coordinated effort and deep commitment at all levels of our government and in communities across the United States. That work starts with knowing about it—educating yourself and others—and then committing to reform efforts. Below is a selection of resources for those in positions to affect change in their jurisdiction, through legislation, revised policies and procedures, and executive actions.
Ending the rape kit backlog will take a coordinated effort and deep commitment at all levels of our government and in communities across the United States. That work starts with knowing about it—educating yourself and others—and then committing to reform efforts. Below is a selection of resources for those in positions to affect change in their jurisdiction, through legislation, revised policies and procedures, and executive actions.
Ending the backlog of untested rape kits in the United States will take a deep commitment at all levels of government. Every state must have clear laws and policies mandating deadlines for testing and tracking rape kits. Strong policies for handling rape kits ensure that the criminal justice system holds offenders accountable and builds opportunities for justice and healing for survivors. This handbook provides guidance to state lawmakers drafting rape kit reform legislation, and covers all the provisions that should be included in a comprehensive rape kit reform law.
Federal reports and resources present a standard for investigation, handling, and prosecution of sexual assault cases as well as in-depth information about rape kit testing processes and procedures.
Federal reports and resources present a standard for investigation, handling, and prosecution of sexual assault cases as well as in-depth information about rape kit testing processes and procedures.
Detroit’s 2011 study inventoried all the unsubmitted rape kits in police property (current to November 1, 2009), investigated why the number of unsubmitted rape kits was very high, and developed and evaluated a plan to test those kits. As of April 2020, Detroit had tested 11,137 kits out of the 11,341 discovered in 2009. This study poses an example of how jurisdictions with large numbers of untested kits can end the backlog.
This guide provides an overview of the focus areas of The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), and leads agencies through the process of rape kit reform using SAKI’s principles and philosophy.
The process map demonstrates the steps a rape kit goes through, from when a law enforcement agency first submits the kit to a lab for testing.
Across the country, many sex crimes units are understaffed and under-resourced. These focused resources are helping law enforcement get serial criminals off of the streets, easing the burden on personnel, facilitating community engagement and relationship building, and making communities safer.
Across the country, many sex crimes units are understaffed and under-resourced. These focused resources are helping law enforcement get serial criminals off of the streets, easing the burden on personnel, facilitating community engagement and relationship building, and making communities safer.
SAKI funds can be used to hire new detectives and investigators to work on reopened cases that arise from the testing of previously backlogged kits. SAKI grants also allow agencies to invest in in much-needed training, technical support, and the development of trauma-informed policies and practices that help law enforcement professionals better engage with survivors of sexual assault.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence—Inventory, Tracking, and Reporting (SAFE-ITR) Program helps agencies to establish tracking systems and to inventory untested rape kits.
As states and local jurisdictions take steps toward eliminating their rape kit backlogs, they are faced with the question of how to re-engage survivors whose cases are often years—sometimes decades—old in a manner that is not retraumatizing, can enhance the probability that a survivor will engage with the criminal justice system, and will increase the likelihood that a survivor will access supportive services.
As states and local jurisdictions take steps toward eliminating their rape kit backlogs, they are faced with the question of how to re-engage survivors whose cases are often years—sometimes decades—old in a manner that is not retraumatizing, can enhance the probability that a survivor will engage with the criminal justice system, and will increase the likelihood that a survivor will access supportive services.
On May 17, 2016, Ilse Knecht, Joyful Heart's Director of Policy & Advocacy, and Dr. Courtney Ahrens conducted a 40-minute webinar presentation in which they described in detail the methodology of and findings from our recently published report, and conveyed how best to translate this important research into practice.
Trauma has a significant effect on survivors' reflexes during an assault, reactions and behavior after an assault, and their ability to recall details. Understanding the neurobiology of trauma and the impact of trauma on sexual assault survivors vastly improves cold case investigations and victim notification.
Trauma has a significant effect on survivors' reflexes during an assault, reactions and behavior after an assault, and their ability to recall details. Understanding the neurobiology of trauma and the impact of trauma on sexual assault survivors vastly improves cold case investigations and victim notification.
The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault—Implications for Law Enforcement, Prosecution, and Victim Advocacy is a webinar with Dr. Rebecca Campbell, Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University, that specifically focuses on providing information for first responders to sexual assault.
This webinar explains how the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma affects victims' behavior during and after an assault, and how trauma affects memory formation and recall during and immediately after an assault. The webinar also explains how this information on the neurobiology of trauma can inform cold case investigations and victim notification.
Resources from the National Judicial Education Project include a bulletin entitled "Judges Tell: What I Wish I Had Known Before I Presided in an Adult Victim Sexual Assault Case," and an online course entitled "Intimate Partner Sexual Abuse Web Course: Adjudicating This Hidden Dimension of Domestic Violence Cases."
This one-pager by the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, on the neurobiology of sexual assault, includes key terms and citations from major research resources.