Tell Congress to Renew Funding for the Rape Kit Backlog NOW!

Established in 2004, the Debbie Smith Act provides state crime labs with critical funding to process rape kits so that DNA evidence may be used to hold perpetrators accountable, and offer survivors a chance at justice.

Right now, the rape kit backlog is only growing bigger as demand increases for DNA analysis in criminal investigations. And yet, Congress has not renewed the law that will help.

Your voice is needed: Urge Congress to reauthorize the Debbie Smith Act, and provide vital funds to address the rape kit backlog.

Petition to Congress:

As your constituent, I ask you to support funding to address the nation’s backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved sex crimes, commonly referred to as the “rape kit backlog.” Based on public reports, we know that more than 100,000 sexual assault forensic evidence kits (“rape kits”) sit untested and unaccounted for, gathering dust on evidence room shelves or in warehouses. Each kit represents a survivor who deserves justice, and a potential serial criminal who may be continuing to harm others.

Specifically, I urge you to please support continued funding for the purposes of the Debbie Smith Act, which ensures that public crime labs have the capacity to meet testing demand.

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