We have a clear and ambitious goal:
end the
rape kit Backlog.
State of the Backlog Report:
A comprehensive review of ten years of rape kit reform.
Explore the Backlog
How We Track Reform: The Six Pillars
We track the progress of all 50 states in enacting laws and policies embracing our six legislative pillars of comprehensive rape kit reform. These are criteria experts have determined are critical elements in eliminating the untested rape kit backlog once and for all.
Statewide Inventory
States must have comprehensive knowledge of the number and location of all untested kits. This requires the participation of law enforcement, medical facilities, and forensic laboratories. The number and location of all kits connected to a reported crime must be publicly available. Federal best practices recommend a recurring annual inventory and publication of the results online. Learn more.
Test Backlogged Kits
States must have tested all backlogged kits connected to a reported crime, have legislation requiring it, or have a plan in place with deadlines to identify and submit these kits to a lab and test them. Learn more.
Test New Kits
States must have established deadlines for submitting all newly collected kits connected to a reported crime to a lab and testing them. Learn more.
Implement Tracking System
States must establish an electronic rape-kit tracking system or have a plan and deadline for implementation in place. The system must follow the path of a kit throughout the entire process—from collection to final disposition. The system must require the participation of law enforcement, medical facilities, and forensic laboratories and ideally provide a secure, anonymous portal through which survivors can track their kits. Learn more.
Victim’s Right to Know
State law must grant survivors the right to receive information about their cases and the status and location of their rape kits. Ideally, the law should mandate that survivors receive notice about how to access this information and how to contact a liaison at the law enforcement agency investigating their case. It should also require this information to be accessible to survivors online. Learn more.
Fund Reform
States must allocate or secure funding to help implement these pillars, with an emphasis on testing backlogged and future kits. Learn more.
Survivor’s Story: Joanie
“I’m giving you 19 years for the 19 years Joanie had to wait for you to be brought to justice.”
What is a rape kit?
In the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault, a victim may choose—or may be asked—to undergo a forensic examination to collect any evidence left behind in the assault.
Survivors’ Rights
Every state has a general victims’ rights law, and survivors of sexual assault are granted certain rights under state law and each state’s constitution.