When I was first introduced to the topic of the thousands of untested rape kits across America I was sitting at home watching the CNN Evening News and it was showing Mariska Hartigay’s emotional testimony in Congress. Since she plays Detective Benson in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (which did an episode to shed light on the topic) she receives many letters from rape victims, many of whom say their rape kit was never tested. And this is easy to believe. The organization Human Rights Watch first launched their investigation in 2008, where the took an inventory of the backlog inLos Angeles, CA, where there are over 7 thousand untested kits sitting in storage. And LA is not the only city, Chicago also has a backlog. CBS News investigated this topic and compiled a list of of cities and states that have high numbers of untested kits. Rape is very traumatic, of that, there is no doubt. Many rapes are very brutal. I found an article that gives a rather detailed and graphic account of the rape of Helena Lazaro (please take caution while reading), and another with the statistics related to her rape.
Now, I am assuming that many people do not know the details of what happens during a rape kit. I found an article that has a brief, yet vivid, overview of the process. This process is very invasive and personal, and by some accounts, painful. A rape kit takes hours to prepare, so many people ask why they are not being tested? And the answer is: money and resources. There is also the matter of an improper use of resources. Many states are given grants to try and end the backlog, but not all of them are using the money or using the money for its intended purpose.
Another problem with not testing the kits, is that it allows the perpetrators to go on raping; it leads to more crimes. The rapist of Helena Lazaro went on to rape another woman, and that only of what we know.. Most rapes are commited by serial rapists, and studies have shown that on average a serial rapist can commit 7 to 11 rapes. And this could be avoided if kits were tested. Also, not testing the kits betrays the trust of the viticm.
Through all of the articles I have read, there seem to be a consensus that these kits need to be tested. And the Human Rights Watch have asked people to help eliminate the backlog. Many peoplehave come together to help promote the end of the backlog, like Neal Baer and Mariska Hartigay.
Your analysis post clearly develops your argument: Rape kits should not go untested. You provide a substantial amount of evidence to back up your argument too. I never knew how much was involved with an actual rape kit and I never knew how many rape kits actually go untested. Your analysis sparks many questions for me and probably for many other readers. Why go through the rape kit procedure if it’s not going to be tested? The procedure seems traumatizing, and in my opinion I don’t think the rape kit should be used unless it is going to be tested. Your analysis clearly offers an analysis of why rape kits go untested, I just feel like it seems pointless to do them if they are not going to be used to stop rapists.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a good job explaining the problems with untested rape kits. And you developed a clear argument. The only advice I have is, maybe discuss in a little more detail why it is difficult to test all the kits in a timely manner. Maybe just go in a little more detail about money and resources to try and stay unbiased. Even though, there isn't an excuse for so many untested rape kits, especially going years without testing them.
ReplyDeleteI think it is crazy that they do not test rape kits. Why take the test in the first place if it is not going to be used to capture the rapist? Your analysis went into get detail about the issue and the rape kits are going untested. I did not know that rape kits could be painful and are so personal. I know if a person had to go through rape and then go through with test it must be really hard. Then to find out the kit was not even use is something that is ridiculous and should not happen. The point of the kit is to catch the rapist before he or she strikes again and if the kit is not tested then the rapist will keep going to new victims. All of this can be prevented if they just test the rape kits.
ReplyDeletePJ Blog, While your analysis post clearly highlights the importance of the issue and how it is an issue of public discourse, it only demonstrates that there are problems and not WHY. There are many underlying cultural norms and ideas about rape that create a climate in which this situation exists, but you don't really touch on them. This seems crucial for an understanding of the topic.
ReplyDeleteWhy are you so short on posts?