Page 2 - Rape Kit Backlog News Today

A new bill to limit how long a sexual assault kit can go untested is gaining support. It would require the TBI to test the evidence within 30 days.

A New Bedford man has been arrested in connection to a previously unsolved 2012 rape after the cold case rape kit was DNA tested.

A TikToker and her viewers are shedding light on why a large number of sexual assaults against women go unreported.

State Senator Melissa Wintrow said finishing the testing "sends a really powerful message" to sexual assault victims that their claims are taken seriously.

Was just 13. her own rape kit with her attackers dna, sat untested on a shelf for more than 20 years. by the time her attacker was identified, the statute of limitations had run out and the man was already in prison. he had been caught after raping two other women while lavinias kit sat on the shelf. >> we still have a lot of work to do. its not an easy task. its a heavy lift. >> reporter: texas state representative victoria niave has been working alongside lavinia for years to clear the rape ki...

Could be on the run possibly raping others. how frustrated are you that thousands of rape kits are still unprocessed? >> im very frustrated. >> reporter: she was a member of the sexual assault survivors task force was raped at knifepoint back in 1985. she was just 13. her own rape kit set untested on a shelf for more than 20 years. by the time her attacker was identified, the statute of limitations had run out and the man was already in prison. he had been caught after raping two other women whi...

Report their numbers to the state. so, the number could be much higher which means thousands of rapists could be on the run, possibly raping others. how frustrated are you that thousands of rape kits are still sitting unprocessed on the shelf? >> um, im -- im very frustrated. >> reporter: she is a member of governor abbotts sexual assault survivors task force was raped at knifepoint back in 1985. she was just 13. her own rape kit with her attackers dna sat untested on a shelf for more than 20 ye...

>> well, the governor, greg abbott, is a hypocrite that hes hurting the people of texas, especially texas women. folks know that many women by six weeks dont even realize or know that theyre pregnant. but also, jim, a few years ago, the texas legislature and the governor actually had a chance to fully fund getting rid of the rape kit backlog in texas, in texas counties. and they wouldnt put up the money to do that. so he talks about getting rid of rapists in texas. they wouldnt clear the rape ki...

Nearly five years after the Austin Police Department’s DNA crime lab was forced to shut down amid claims of incompetence and misconduct, the city of Austin has finally created a new independent Forensic Science Department – outside the control of APD, with its funding “decoupled” from the police budget. Council approved the move, long sought by justice advocates and survivors of sexual assault, at its Feb. 4 meeting. This follows from last summer’s de-policing moves by Council, thro...

Not surprised that its so huge. >> this week, the house is going to vote on a reducing requiring all lawmakers and staff to complete anti-harassment training. >> mm-hmm. every job ive had, ive had to have anti-sexual harassment training. the fact that this needs to be part of a new legislation is pretty unbelievable to me, a. b, do you think thats enough? >> i think its a start. i dont think its enough. and i think that congress should definitely, if theyre going to have a me too bill, it should...