Posts Tagged rape kits

By Maya Dusenbery • 10 years ago

Quote of the Day: Rape kits are…abortions?

Protestors gather in the capitol rotunda to oppose Texas’ omnibus anti-choice bill. [Image via]

On Sunday night, hundreds of pro-choice activists flooded the Texas state capitol to try to block the Republican-controlled legislature from passing a massive anti-choice bill–a bill that includes a 20-week abortion ban and would shut down all but 5 clinics in the state. The “people’s filibuster” had successfully delayed the vote for a dozen hours last Thursday, but in the early hours of Monday morning, the House gave preliminary approval to the bill.

As Think Progress reports, in the midst of the long debate, perhaps the most absurd claim (ever?) was one made by state Rep. Jody Laubenberg, who explained ...

Protestors gather in the capitol rotunda to oppose Texas’ omnibus anti-choice bill. [Image via]

On Sunday night, hundreds of pro-choice activists flooded the Texas state capitol to try to block the Republican-controlled legislature from passing ...
By Maya Dusenbery • 11 years ago

Legislation introduced to eliminate the rape kit backlog

Could it be? A rare moment of bipartisan commitment to fighting violence against women? Today, lawmakers introduced legislation to help fix the unacceptable backlog of untested rape kits.

“Democrats and Republicans identified a serious problem and they have come together to have a common sense solution,” said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., one of four legislators — two from each part — who co-sponsored the bill and spoke about it after its introduction today.

There are an estimated 400,000 kits currently backlogged in the United States and one major reason is a lack of funding for local police. This bill will allow local law enforcement to apply for the funds they say are needed to test every rape kit.

“Those are 400,000 victims ...

Could it be? A rare moment of bipartisan commitment to fighting violence against women? Today, lawmakers introduced legislation to help fix the unacceptable backlog of untested rape kits.

“Democrats and Republicans identified a serious problem and they ...
By Vanessa • 13 years ago

Law and Order SVU brings attention to rape kit backlog

Didn’t think I could love Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (especially Mariska Hargitay *swoon*) more until I found out that the actress and executive producer Neal Baer blogged about their episode this week that addressed the backlog of rape kit testing.

The serious problem of rape kits sitting untested or being destroyed is one that leaves too many sexual assault survivors without justice, so it’s great to see a high-profile show bring attention to the issue — not to mention they direct folks to a campaign dedicated to end rape kit backlog.

Did anyone see the episode?? (Yep, I missed it.)

Didn’t think I could love Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (especially Mariska Hargitay *swoon*) more until I found out that the actress and executive producer Neal Baer blogged about their episode this week ...