Apr 25 2015 61 mins
RAPE KITS BACKLOGGED ON SHELVES, RAPISTS FREE AS BIRDS. WHO’S DOING SOMETHING? We've all heard about the backlog of rape kits at crime facilities and police labs all across the country, and all the information locked in those kits that could be used to prosecute rapists and prevent them from raping again. The good news is that some states are actually tackling that backlog and making headway in those DNA tests - AND finding a lot of criminals. The bad news – huge backlogs still exist; it takes money to process this evidence; and some states are actually charging victims for processing and investigating via rape kits. Erika Teschke, Founder of RapeKitWA.org, started out as your everyday citizen until she read about the nationwide issue with untested rape kits. Since then she has talked with leaders at all levels of the rape kit chain of custody in Wa State and with national organizations such as the Joyful Heart’s End The Backlog in order to help bring victim centered rape kit reform to her home state. RapeKitWA. org began as an educational tool and has morphed into a community based grassroots lobbying effort that helped to both educate the public about rape kits and steer legislation through the WA State Legislature. Join us as we talk with Erika to find out what's going on with rape kits around the country with rape kits and the victims they represent. Call-in with your comments to (646) 378-0430. And if you miss the live program, you can go to the website and listen to all our archived programs whenever you like at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways