100 signatures reached
To: MD Legislature
Rape Kit Backlog Legislation Reform
Thousands of rape kits remain untested everyday in Maryland and the USA as a whole. These rape kits are often conducted, then placed in evidence or storage where they sit untouched and untested for years, eventually leaving them untestable and contaminated. There is no legislation in place requiring the testing of rape kits. The Maryland Legislature needs to create and pass legislation requiring the testing of every rape kit conducted (past, present and future). This legislation should also establish a timeline of when the testing of these kits need to be conducted in relation to the police receiving the completed rape kit.
We have created this petition in an effort to garner support to end the backlog of rape kits, and bolster funding to have existing and future rape kits analyzed in a timely manner. The federal government has allocated funding directly to this cause, but it may not be enough. We implore you to support our cause in an effort to alter legislation to make rape kit testing mandatory statewide, and ensure the government reserves enough funds to expedite the processing of rape kits. Please help victims of sexual assault get the justice they deserve!
We have created this petition in an effort to garner support to end the backlog of rape kits, and bolster funding to have existing and future rape kits analyzed in a timely manner. The federal government has allocated funding directly to this cause, but it may not be enough. We implore you to support our cause in an effort to alter legislation to make rape kit testing mandatory statewide, and ensure the government reserves enough funds to expedite the processing of rape kits. Please help victims of sexual assault get the justice they deserve!
Why is this important?
For all rapes reported to police, only 34.5% are cleared by arrest, and even fewer actually lead to convictions. This is an alarming number given the fact that approximately 20% of women in the U.S. have experienced an attempted, or completed rape in her lifetime. According to aggregate data, for every 1,000 rapes, nearly 38.4% are reported to police, and only 7 result in a felony conviction. Given the disparity between the occurrence of rape, and the number of rape cases that result in conviction, it is apparent the system is inadequate at providing justice for victims. While the numbers are vague, experts estimate 200,000, or more rape kits are lying, unsubmitted in police departments all over the U.S. According to the Maryland Sexual Assault Evidency Policy and Funding Committee, there are 6,000 untested kits in Maryland. Not only does this impede the justice system’s ability to prosecute offenders, but it leaves victims tragically unvindicated.
By these rape kits going untested, rapists remain free and justice is not sought out. Legislation will allow for offenders, especially serial rapists, to be arrested and convicted, giving survivors the justice they deserve. With this legislation in place, Maryland will be able to do our part in ending the backlog of rape kits. For too long, the voices of the raped and assaulted have been silenced by being relegated to the back of an evidence room.
By these rape kits going untested, rapists remain free and justice is not sought out. Legislation will allow for offenders, especially serial rapists, to be arrested and convicted, giving survivors the justice they deserve. With this legislation in place, Maryland will be able to do our part in ending the backlog of rape kits. For too long, the voices of the raped and assaulted have been silenced by being relegated to the back of an evidence room.