The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) has received $2.5 million from the Department of Justice's National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.
The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) received $2.5 million from the Department of Justice's National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.
This funding will be used to process untested kits and provide critical resources for victims. TPD processes 150 cases monthly in addition to ongoing investigations.
"It allows the police department to get aggressive with testing these rape kits at a quicker pace. We can always improve what we're doing," Laurel Roberts, Public Safety Commissioner of Tulsa.
Advocates said that delayed test results can make victims feel ignored. The new funding aims to address this issue, ensuring victims feel prioritized.
"This is a huge step in letting them know 'Hey we see you, we believe you, and we are going to get these people that are responsible,'" said Heather Williams, a DVIS Advocate.
However, Williams also noted that the testing process remains time-intensive.
"We have to let them know that it doesn't happen so fast, it can be months even years before we can get results from that kit," said Williams
DVIS encourages all sexual assault victims to undergo a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam, saying the role of evidence in identifying repeat offenders.
"I have to explain to them how important it is for every single person who reports because even if your case doesn't get to prosecution stages, you're at least at minimum creating that paper trail," Williams said.
Testing these kits can lead to breakthroughs in cold cases with just one DNA match.
This funding is part of the Department of Justice's broader effort, which includes over $4 billion allocated to criminal justice agencies across the country.
Informal_Drawing on December 10th, 2024 at 20:49 UTC »
Why are untested kits even a thing?
Absolutely disgusting.
ILikeNeurons on December 10th, 2024 at 19:47 UTC »
Rape is one of the most severe of all traumas, and most rapes are committed by repeat rapists. Timely testing of kits can prevent repeat offenders from striking again.
Here's how this state compares to other states on legislation to test new kits:
According to the law, how much time after a rape kit examination do hospitals have to notify law enforcement that a kit is ready to be picked up? According to the law, after being notified, within what time frame is law enforcement required to pick up the kit? According to the law, after picking the kit up, within what time frame is law enforcement required to submit the kit to the lab? According to the law, after receiving the kit, within what time frame is the lab required to test the kit? Does the law allow crime labs to outsource kits for testing if they are unable to meet the deadline? Total time to kit testing completed Oklahoma NA NA 20 days NA NA ? Illinois 4 hours 5 days 10 days 6 months Yes 6 months, 15 days, 4 hours Kentucky 24 hours 5 days 30 days 60 days NA 96 days? Massachusetts 24 hours 3 days 7 days 30 days NA 41 days? Michigan 24 hours 14 days 14 days 90 days NA 109 days? Mississippi 4 hours 1 day 7 days 45 days Yes 53 days, 4 hours South Dakota 24 hours 14 days 14 days 90 days NA 109 days? Wisconsin 24 hours 72 hours 14 days 6 months NA 6 months, 18 days?
Survivors experience an extreme sense of betrayal and loss of faith in the criminal justice system when their kits are not tested. Institutional betrayal takes a toll on victims. It's important to have a tight timeline for victim healing as well as to prevent re-offending.
The DoJ considers kits to be backlogged when they take longer than 30 days to test.
Contact from constituents works, and End the Backlog makes it really easy.
https://www.endthebacklog.org/state/Oklahoma/
pandabearak on December 10th, 2024 at 19:30 UTC »
It’s Tulsa. They will spend it on new police Ford Raptors… then complain how the libruls keep taking their money for sex changes which is why they don’t have any women in town anymore.