Maryland had over 6,000 untested Rape Kits between 1981 and 2018. More untested kits were found later. Of these, 867 kits were tested with federal funds; additional kits were tested with state or possibly local funds. The state also reports 2,038 kits tested over a longer time period. The exact number of kits in the 1981-2018 backlog is UNKNOWN because the tracking system is not up and running for the backlog yet.
The proposed Budget Reconciliation Finance & Reconciliation bill being considered by the General Assembly reduces the Rape Kit Testing Fund by $5,782,677 while another bill, the proposed Budget bill, adds back $3.5 million. The result is a $2,282,677 reduction in funds to test the backlog.
The State should not deplete the Rape Kit Testing Fund while there continues to be a rape kit backlog and survivors waiting for justice.
Consider Emily…
She was violently raped by a stranger more than a decade ago. She sought medical treatment, evidence was collected, and she reported the crime. Nothing more happened in her case. She went for years living in fear. Finally, her kit was tested. Her rapist was in jail. He is a serial offender and pled guilty to other rapes years ago. While Emily was living in fear, no one bothered to test her kit and let her know.
On behalf of women like Emily, please don’t deplete the Rape Kit Testing Fund while there continues to be a rape kit backlog.
Maryland can make better choices.
