What You Should Know About Rape and Rape Test Kits

General Statistics

¥      In the U.S., a woman is sexually assaulted every 2-3 minutes

¥      There are more women in America who have been victims of a sexual assault than women who wear glasses                                              

¥      In1999 there were 41 reported forcible rapes in Baton Rouge, 130 in New Orleans.  However, it is estimated that 61% of rapes and sexual assaults are not reported to the police

¥      1 in 36 college women will experience attempted or completed rape in an academic year

¥      When you factor in unreported rapes, only 1 of 16 rapists will ever spend any time in jail   

 

DNA Evidence & Rape Kits

¥      When a person reports a sexual assault, the individual goes through an evidence gathering process in which DNA evidence is collected.  The evidence collected is referred to as a rape kit.

¥      Victims go through this intrusive process in order to help find the person who has violated them.  However, these rape kits are not always tested immediately.  The only kits tested immediately are those cases in which a suspect has been identified.  Therefore, rape kit evidence in cases without a suspect is put on a shelf and left untested for an indefinite time.  It is estimated that 500,000 kits are currently sitting untested across the U.S.

¥      The reason given for not testing the kits is that there are not enough funds.  A rape kit cost about $500 to test.

¥      CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) is a national database created by the FBI in which DNA information from known criminals and unidentified samples is compiled.  This system is used to match up samples to solve cases across the nation.  Louisiana is one of only 8 states that are not members of CODIS.

Benefits of Reducing the Backlog

¥      If non-suspect rape kits were tested, the DNA information could be entered into CODIS and many unsolved cases could be solved.

¥      These solved cases could help arrest offenders who may have been released early and could help keep offenders who may be in jail for lesser offenses incarcerated longer

¥      Even if a match is made to someone who is already spending life in prison, the solved case will provide the victim with a sense of security that her rapist is no longer a threat to her

¥      This evidence could also help free innocent people who have been wrongly accused and convicted in rape cases

¥      Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, testing the kits will show respect to the victim who went through a very intrusive procedure  in order to provide that evidence

The Current Response

¥      The following acts have been introduced into Congress: The Debbie Smith Act, The Rape Kit DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2002, and the DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act of 2002.  Each one has different measure included in it, but all would provide funds to help eliminate the backlog of untested kits.

References

¥       NCPA from US Department of Justice statistics. See www.ncpa.org/studies/s229/s229.html

¥       FBI Unified Crime Report

¥       National Institute of Justice  http://www.rainn.org/collegerapes0101.pdf

¥       www.rape101.com

¥       Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network   www.rainn.org

¥       ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/DailyNews/2020_unsolvedrape_020125.html

¥       National Rape Evidence Project  www.rapeevidence.org

¥       Find out more and sign a petition supporting the Debbie Smith Act on Lifetime Network’s website:  www.lifetimetv.com

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