WHAT RAPE CULTURE?? Senate’s Recess Without Funding Rape Kit Reform
NEW YORK - The Joyful Heart Foundation today spoke out against politics in the U.S. Congress that has stalled new, critical funding to address the nation’s rape kit backlog. As the Senate adjourns this week, it is expected to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government without providing for new programs, including $41 million for a new community-based sexual assault response initiative in Congress’ Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies FY15 spending bill.
This funding has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate Appropriations Committee to address the rape kit backlog in police storage facilities. This Justice Department allocation provides local communities resources to: test backlogged kits in their police storage facilities; create multi-disciplinary teams to investigate and prosecute cases connected to the backlog; and address the need for victim notification and re-engagement with the criminal justice system.
More: Joyful Heart Foundation Reacts to Senate’s Recess Without Funding Rape Kit Reform