New bill seeks to pressure police nationwide to take inventory of untested rape kits or lose funding
Two representatives introduced a bipartisan bill to increase transparency and accountability in the backlog of rape kits stored in police departments nationwide.
The Rape Kit Backlog Act, sponsored by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) would compel law enforcement agencies to take inventory of all rape kits and track whether the genetic material collected in the kits has been added to the national DNA database.
"We want to make sure that women understand that their voices are going to be heard, actions are going to be taken, we're going to process these rape kits and get this backlog under control," Mace shared. "Get states to be held accountable and get them to take action and take it now."
Mace's life was completely changed when she was raped at 16. It took her years to regain her voice as a survivor, she shared with HuffPost.
The introduced bill improves reporting requirements for state and local governments. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds will be conditional on complying with the outlined reporting requirements. No new funds would be provided to the states.
The bill would require the U.S. Department of Justice to report on backlogs publicly. Lawmakers cite an estimate that there are over 100,000 untested sexual assault kits in the U.S.
Mace's office states that the backlog encourages serial rapists to commit new crimes across state lines, making the legislation critical in ending the "interstate serial rapist problem."
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Mace and Lee pointed out that many rape incidents go unreported. Very few cases result in convictions, even when reported to law enforcement agencies. One of the reasons for this is that the evidence in the kits can get spoiled, and victims may be hesitant to come forward.
"Women who report their assault and go to a hospital can get a rape kit," Lee shared. "The police departments across the country are not fulfilling their obligation to test those kits and get justice for the survivors."
Mace and Lee thanked each other for setting aside partisanship during the press conference.