Federal Grants Fail to Clear Rape Kit Backlog, Justice Elusive for Many Survivors

Despite $350 million in funding, thousands of rape kits remain untested and convictions are rare, leaving survivors without closure.

Since 2015, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has distributed nearly $350 million to 90 local and state agencies to address the backlog of untested rape kits.
In Wisconsin, only 10 convictions have resulted from the $9.5 million received, with over 2,300 kits still untested due to various reasons including lack of victim consent.
Nationally, the program has tested 100,000 kits but achieved only 1,500 convictions, with nearly half of those coming from just two cities: Detroit and Cleveland.
Victim notification remains a significant issue, with many survivors never informed about the status of their kits or the outcomes of the tests.
Despite the introduction of tracking systems and legislative efforts, systemic issues and inconsistent local implementation continue to hinder progress.