Backlogged rape kits in property storage

Sexual Assault in the United States

• Every 2 minutes, another person is sexually assaulted.
• 97% of rapists will never spend a day behind bars.
• 15% of all victims of rape and sexual assault are children under the age of 12.
• Rapists don’t just strike once. They are often serial criminals, and DNA is the single-most effective rape prevention tool we have.
• Victims of sexual assault are, according to the World Health Organization, three times more likely to suffer from depression; 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs, and 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

The Rape-Kit Backlog

• The Department of Justice estimates there are about 100,000 rape kits at public crime labs awaiting testing.
• Media reports suggest there may be as many as 300,000 additional kits sitting in law enforcement storage, awaiting to reach labs for testing (the so-called “hidden backlog”).
• On average, it currently costs $1,000 to test a single rape kit.
• Apprehending serial offenders early in their careers can prevent crimes, thereby saving approximately $12.9 billion a year in avoided medical costs, lost wages, and other tangible harms to victims and society.

Ready to Act? Need More Information?

Contact us at info@testallkits.org or 571-494-1731 for additional information, case examples, statistics, model language, talking points, and much more.

Rape Kit Action Project Steering Committee

We are leaders in the field, jointly committed to making a difference so that victims receive justice and rapists are held accountable. Steering committee members include leaders from RAINN, the National Center for Victims of Crime, Joyful Heart Foundation and                              Natasha’s Justice Project.