MCASA in the News: Baltimore County can’t explain why police destroyed hundreds of rape kits

Apr 26th, 2019

The Baltimore Sun is reporting this week that the Baltimore County police destroyed more than twice as many rape kits over a six-year period than officials reported.  In 2016, police reported destroying 231 rape kits between 2010 and 2015, but a list of destroyed evidence obtained through public records showed that hundreds more had been destroyed— 521 in total. 

The DNA evidence collected and stored in rape kits increases the likelihood of prosecution, and this discovery raises the possibility that serial rapists will never be brought to justice.  This injustice to survivors should not go unaddressed. 

“Behind each kit is a sexual assault survivor who chose to undergo an invasive and difficult examination.  The very high discrepancy about the number of rape kits destroyed raises serious concerns about whether rape survivors are receiving the support they need during the criminal process."       -Lisae C. Jordan, Executive Director of MCASA

MCASA is working for justice for Maryland sexual assault survivors by advocating for rape kit reform legislation, and providing help and support to sexual assault survivors in every jurisdiction of the state.  

Read the full Baltimore Sun article here.

Stay In The Loop

Sign up for our mailing list to receive Frontline, MCASA’s quarterly eNewsletter, and stay updated on MCASA’s programs and upcoming events and training in Maryland.

Sign Up