Investigation of Rape Kits
(CBS) Sarah Fitzpatrick is an intern for the CBS News Investigative unit in New York
In November 2009, a five-month CBS News investigation revealed that more than 20,000 rape kits at police departments around the country were never sent to crime labs for testing. The two-part series titled Rape in America: Justice Denied also found that kits that are submitted may not be tested for months, or even years, due to lengthy backlogs at forensic testing facilities. CBS News found kits waiting to be tested for up to a year in Kentucky, three years in Alaska and eight years in Louisiana.
The testing of rape kits is crucial for prosecuting rapists and preventing future assaults, as research suggests that 71 percent of rapists are repeat offenders.
Following the CBS News investigation, federal and local authorities around the country are taking steps to ensure the timely testing of rape kits.
On Nov. 18, 2009 Attorney General Eric Holder was questioned by the Senate Judiciary Committee about how the Justice Department would ensure that evidence collected in rape cases is ultimately tested by crime labs.
Holder responded, “Mr. Chairman, I not only pledge that we should, we have to work on this. For every crime that remains unsolved, there is a rapist who is potentially still out there and ready to strike again."
New federal legislation aimed at reducing the rape kit backlog was introduced at the end of November in the House. Resolution 4114: Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2009 would require states that receive federal justice assistance grants to have all rape kits sent to crime labs for analysis, eliminate rape kit repayment requirements for sexual assault victims and authorize additional funding for rape kit testing. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
The move in the House was followed up by a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the topic in December where advocates, policy experts and representatives from police departments across the country testified about the importance of testing rape kits.
A closer look finds rape kit policies shifting nation-wide:
- The San Antonio Police Department changed its policy in response to the CBS News report and will now test all rape kits from cases where the victim did not know the attacker. The department also confirmed to CBS it will begin testing 178 kits from stranger rapes that it had not tested in the past.
- In Santa Monica, all rape kits now are sent to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for processing. Previously, it was left up to detectives which kits would be sent or placed in storage. The department reported that they have already begun testing
- The Houston city council announced that it had authorized funding to test 4,000 kits that remain in backlog at the Houston Police Department crime lab.
- The state of Michigan received a $650,000 grant to test 400 of the estimated 12,000 untested rape kits currently in storage at the Detroit Police crime lab.
- The Illinois Attorney General introduced new legislation that would make Illinois the first state in the nation to mandate the submission of sexual assault evidence for testing. The bill passed in the Illinois house and is currently awaiting state senate approval.
- In February, CBS affiliate WREG-TV in Memphis conducted a similar investigation, and found that only 6% of all rape kits collected in Memphis was being sent to the local crime lab. In response the Memphis Police Department announced it had changed the policy and would send all of their rape kits from now on to the state lab.
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This is good news, and yet incredibly disgusting with the slack mannered handling of these womens lives. How many of these are serial rapists and go undetected.? the average rapist does not get caught untilhis 8th assault. EIGHT....
CBS news video only 25% result in arrests , warning this might shock and anger you.
Showing posts with label . Rape survivor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label . Rape survivor. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Virginia slaying tied to 2005 sexual assault: Society allows this crime to thrive?
My message: I believe the mom of this poor kid said it best: "the social framework that views women as prey". Media and men ( and some women) have for the last 100 years ( or more) have seen women as expendable, a commodity, a joke, something to be kept in "her place".
While it is true that most rapists are not "caught" until their 8th rape, some elude for much longer, evolving into serial rapists and oftentimes killers because the power and relief they get is shortlived. They continue to stalk prey, often deriving as much pleasure in knowing they will be doing to the victim. They like the cat and mouse part of it. I do not believe rape is a crime of opportunity as some make it out. I think that many are premeditated.
Regardless of their planning, society has set up a perpetual circle of girls thinking less than of themselves, parading about in clothes that only sexualizes the young girl ( and these are parents that are teaching their daughters their only worth is what is in their undies!). I never thought I would sound like an old church lady....but I was one of those who only had self esteem based on what men told me. I dressed to impress, disregarding that part of me like my intelligence, demanding respect for myself and my abilities.
Look at the magazine rack... it starts with Tiger Beat ( oh how I loved Donnie Osmond) and then glamour, where I learn how to dress like a hooker while demanding to be treated like the CEO or other execs. Cosmo mag to tell me how to catch a man with 645 scintillating sexual moves, on to Brides magazine where I plan what to do once I ensnare some slob who treats me like dirt. I wake to find that fairy tales are BS and that happily ever after is for the late night movie.
I have walked in and heard men in 2010!!!! telling stupid rape jokes, sexist jokes, objectifying women. These are men I thought I knew fairly well and were quasi less caveman than other men. Shows how it is still there... simmering under the surface for many of them.
RAPE IS WRONG. It wont stop until men "save us women" by making it known to their brethren that this crap isnt funny, there are huge consequences to the raped person....sometimes deadly.
Feel free to discuss in the comment section.
Click here for complete story
Gil Harrington, a nurse, said her daughter's case shows that "the social framework that views women as prey" needs to be changed.
"It is something that I think you have to start from young ages with children, that you're training them not to beat up and not to act out," she said. "But you would think in 2010 that we would be working on issues of cherishing and upholding each other in relationships rather than can we just stop hurting each other. But unfortunately, that's where we're stuck. We have to disallow it."
While it is true that most rapists are not "caught" until their 8th rape, some elude for much longer, evolving into serial rapists and oftentimes killers because the power and relief they get is shortlived. They continue to stalk prey, often deriving as much pleasure in knowing they will be doing to the victim. They like the cat and mouse part of it. I do not believe rape is a crime of opportunity as some make it out. I think that many are premeditated.
Regardless of their planning, society has set up a perpetual circle of girls thinking less than of themselves, parading about in clothes that only sexualizes the young girl ( and these are parents that are teaching their daughters their only worth is what is in their undies!). I never thought I would sound like an old church lady....but I was one of those who only had self esteem based on what men told me. I dressed to impress, disregarding that part of me like my intelligence, demanding respect for myself and my abilities.
Look at the magazine rack... it starts with Tiger Beat ( oh how I loved Donnie Osmond) and then glamour, where I learn how to dress like a hooker while demanding to be treated like the CEO or other execs. Cosmo mag to tell me how to catch a man with 645 scintillating sexual moves, on to Brides magazine where I plan what to do once I ensnare some slob who treats me like dirt. I wake to find that fairy tales are BS and that happily ever after is for the late night movie.
I have walked in and heard men in 2010!!!! telling stupid rape jokes, sexist jokes, objectifying women. These are men I thought I knew fairly well and were quasi less caveman than other men. Shows how it is still there... simmering under the surface for many of them.
RAPE IS WRONG. It wont stop until men "save us women" by making it known to their brethren that this crap isnt funny, there are huge consequences to the raped person....sometimes deadly.
Feel free to discuss in the comment section.
Click here for complete story
Gil Harrington, a nurse, said her daughter's case shows that "the social framework that views women as prey" needs to be changed.
"It is something that I think you have to start from young ages with children, that you're training them not to beat up and not to act out," she said. "But you would think in 2010 that we would be working on issues of cherishing and upholding each other in relationships rather than can we just stop hurting each other. But unfortunately, that's where we're stuck. We have to disallow it."
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
From sex abuse victim to legal advocate
Click the above title to see the video..
This woman has turned her experience into a driving force for her life. She has made something good come from her own harrowing experience. If you are a survivor of DV or rape, I encourage you strongly to get counseling early on.
Putting things off only prolongs the pain and cause worse problems down the line, trust me, I know! May this woman's strength and courage give your some hope for your own situation.
Excerpt from Article:
Vershire, Vermont (CNN) -- Armed with a law degree, an SUV that serves as a mobile office and her own harrowing personal history, 58-year-old trucker-turned-lawyer Wynona Ward navigates the back roads of rural Vermont.
Her mission: to aid victims of domestic violence.
Ward is the founder of Have Justice Will Travel, a group that works to end the generational cycle of abuse by giving free legal representation and support services to isolated -- and often desperate -- low-income people and their children.
"For domestic violence victims in rural areas, it can be very devastating," Ward said. "They're out there on these back roads, with no access to in-town services. Many do not have telephones; some do not have a driver's license or automobile. So we go to them."
This woman has turned her experience into a driving force for her life. She has made something good come from her own harrowing experience. If you are a survivor of DV or rape, I encourage you strongly to get counseling early on.
Putting things off only prolongs the pain and cause worse problems down the line, trust me, I know! May this woman's strength and courage give your some hope for your own situation.
Excerpt from Article:
Vershire, Vermont (CNN) -- Armed with a law degree, an SUV that serves as a mobile office and her own harrowing personal history, 58-year-old trucker-turned-lawyer Wynona Ward navigates the back roads of rural Vermont.
Her mission: to aid victims of domestic violence.
Ward is the founder of Have Justice Will Travel, a group that works to end the generational cycle of abuse by giving free legal representation and support services to isolated -- and often desperate -- low-income people and their children.
"For domestic violence victims in rural areas, it can be very devastating," Ward said. "They're out there on these back roads, with no access to in-town services. Many do not have telephones; some do not have a driver's license or automobile. So we go to them."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Raped Bangledesh survivor Lashed 101 times, rapist Pardoned
The village elders pardoned her rapist.
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next time someone wants to claim that womens rights have all been won in the world needs to rethink what many women and girls still must tolerate. The fear and the shame one lives in because of the misogynistic communities they live in is despicable. I am so angry to have found this story today. Outrageous.
Human rights groups in her country are trying to help her at this time.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
The Law and Rape
Tonight I feel strong enough to open up and try to empower women as well as educate others. What follows is a common story found on a number of sites. The author is unknown.
Later, I will follow up with ways to assist victims. And to try to help people understand at least what I have learned walking through this part of my life. Maybe you know someone who is struggling with this issue. Maybe you will someday need to be that should for someone who has this terrible life changing event. Every rape survivor is someone's wife, daughter, mother, or sister. And no one is immune from this . Rape is the only crime that the victim has to prove that it even happened. If you are in a robbery, your word is enough.
THE TRIAL OF MR. SMITH :
A RAPE VICTIM'S EXPERIENCE IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
The following mock investigation of Mr. Smith illustrates the brutal and rigorous treatment that victims of rape sometimes endure in the judicial process. The dialogue underscores the point that rape victims are never at fault for the crime committed against them, and it highlights the importance of sensitizing members of law enforcement and the judicial system to better meet the needs of victims.
Investigator: Mr. Smith, you allege to have been help up at gunpoint on the corner of First and Main.
Mr. Smith: Yes.
Investigator: Did you see a gun?
Mr. Smith: No.
Investigator: So, you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than resist?
Mr. Smith: Yes.
Investigator: Did you scream? Cry out?
Mr. Smith: No.
Investigator: In other words, you didn’t try to get help for yourself.
Mr. Smith: I was afraid to.
Investigator: I see. Have you ever been held up before?
Mr. Smith: No.
Investigator: Have you ever given money away?
Mr. Smith: Yes, of course.
Investigator: And you did so willingly?
Mr. Smith: What are you getting at?
Investigator: Well, let’s put it like this, Mr. Smith. You’ve given money away in the past. In fact, you have quite a reputation for your generosity. How can we be sure that you weren’t planning on having your money taken by force?
Mr. Smith: Listen, if I wanted…
Investigator: Never mind. What time did this hold up take place?
Mr. Smith: About 11:00 p.m.
Investigator: You were out on the street at 11:00 p.m.? Doing what?
Mr. Smith: Just walking.
Investigator: Just walking? You know that it’s dangerous being out on the street late at night. Weren’t you aware that you could have been held up?
Mr. Smith: I hadn’t thought about it.
Investigator: What were you wearing?
Mr. Smith: Let’s see - a suit. Yes, a suit.
Investigator: An expensive suit?
Mr. Smith: Well, yes. I’m a successful lawyer, you know.
Investigator: In other words Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be a good target for some easy money, isn’t that so? I mean, if we didn’t know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think that you were asking for this to happen, mightn’t we?
Source: American Bar Association Journal
Later, I will follow up with ways to assist victims. And to try to help people understand at least what I have learned walking through this part of my life. Maybe you know someone who is struggling with this issue. Maybe you will someday need to be that should for someone who has this terrible life changing event. Every rape survivor is someone's wife, daughter, mother, or sister. And no one is immune from this . Rape is the only crime that the victim has to prove that it even happened. If you are in a robbery, your word is enough.
THE TRIAL OF MR. SMITH :
A RAPE VICTIM'S EXPERIENCE IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
The following mock investigation of Mr. Smith illustrates the brutal and rigorous treatment that victims of rape sometimes endure in the judicial process. The dialogue underscores the point that rape victims are never at fault for the crime committed against them, and it highlights the importance of sensitizing members of law enforcement and the judicial system to better meet the needs of victims.
Investigator: Mr. Smith, you allege to have been help up at gunpoint on the corner of First and Main.
Mr. Smith: Yes.
Investigator: Did you see a gun?
Mr. Smith: No.
Investigator: So, you made a conscious decision to comply with his demands rather than resist?
Mr. Smith: Yes.
Investigator: Did you scream? Cry out?
Mr. Smith: No.
Investigator: In other words, you didn’t try to get help for yourself.
Mr. Smith: I was afraid to.
Investigator: I see. Have you ever been held up before?
Mr. Smith: No.
Investigator: Have you ever given money away?
Mr. Smith: Yes, of course.
Investigator: And you did so willingly?
Mr. Smith: What are you getting at?
Investigator: Well, let’s put it like this, Mr. Smith. You’ve given money away in the past. In fact, you have quite a reputation for your generosity. How can we be sure that you weren’t planning on having your money taken by force?
Mr. Smith: Listen, if I wanted…
Investigator: Never mind. What time did this hold up take place?
Mr. Smith: About 11:00 p.m.
Investigator: You were out on the street at 11:00 p.m.? Doing what?
Mr. Smith: Just walking.
Investigator: Just walking? You know that it’s dangerous being out on the street late at night. Weren’t you aware that you could have been held up?
Mr. Smith: I hadn’t thought about it.
Investigator: What were you wearing?
Mr. Smith: Let’s see - a suit. Yes, a suit.
Investigator: An expensive suit?
Mr. Smith: Well, yes. I’m a successful lawyer, you know.
Investigator: In other words Mr. Smith, you were walking around the streets late at night in a suit that practically advertised the fact that you might be a good target for some easy money, isn’t that so? I mean, if we didn’t know better, Mr. Smith, we might even think that you were asking for this to happen, mightn’t we?
Source: American Bar Association Journal
Monday, June 22, 2009
Too proud for a widget?
Ok, I have finally deciphered this blog thing, set it up after 5 hours of experimentation and I finally feel like a big girl. About time. I can handle tons of things; I have done so for years including being a single mom! What is it about technology that scares the tar out of people like me? Is it perhaps my age? or rather, my generation? What's a widget and why do I need to know about it?
I grew up thinking I had to do everything on my own, to never be beholden to anyone. So it kills my pride to ask for help. But everytime I do, I grow a bit more spiritually as it lessens my grip on that stupid pride thing. If I cannot ask for help here on earth, how can I ask for help from my heavenly Father? So rather than feeling "less than", I have learned today by humbling myself to ask for help, I can let go of the deadly affliction of self.
I am unsure exactly how this blog will evolve because I am constantly evolving. I design jewelry, but that has been a outgrowth of my past which has been filled with not so many great people or things, misery of my own making. Now I design and create beautiful things as a way of raising money and awareness for Domestic Violence and Rape survivors. ( and to put my kid through college)
I hope you find yourself at home here. I would love to hear from you about learning to outgrowing your pride and how you are dealing with it.
I grew up thinking I had to do everything on my own, to never be beholden to anyone. So it kills my pride to ask for help. But everytime I do, I grow a bit more spiritually as it lessens my grip on that stupid pride thing. If I cannot ask for help here on earth, how can I ask for help from my heavenly Father? So rather than feeling "less than", I have learned today by humbling myself to ask for help, I can let go of the deadly affliction of self.
I am unsure exactly how this blog will evolve because I am constantly evolving. I design jewelry, but that has been a outgrowth of my past which has been filled with not so many great people or things, misery of my own making. Now I design and create beautiful things as a way of raising money and awareness for Domestic Violence and Rape survivors. ( and to put my kid through college)
I hope you find yourself at home here. I would love to hear from you about learning to outgrowing your pride and how you are dealing with it.
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