Although "rape kits," or victims' files containing DNA samples, interviews, photographs of injuries and other evidence, are standard for processing this horrible crime, they are often shelved and remain unexamined. Meanwhile, the perpetrators go unscathed with the potential to cause further harm to others.
The LAPD crime lab is desperately understaffed, with only 16 employees, compared to New York's 108 and Chicago's 52. More funding and more attention need to be given towards rape cases.
Only about 6 percent of rapists ever serve any jail time. But the experience of rape stays with the victims forever. They should not be left to suffer in vain.
A victim of rape is more than just a case number. Tell Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa justice needs to be served. The LAPD needs to tackle the backlogged rape kits today and fulfill the promise made to the victims. Act now to make rape prosecution a reality.
Dear Mayor Villaraigosa:
As a concerned citizen, I request that your government take stronger measures against those who have committed violent sexual crimes. Victims undergo questioning and procedures to form a rape kit, only to have it shelved and left unexamined. Consequentially, only 6% of rapists ever serve any jail time. This heinous crime cannot go unpunished. Rapists need to be apprehended in order to prevent them from committing further harm.
[Your comments]
Victims of rape deserve justice.
Please consider allocating more funds for the LAPD crime lab in order to have a more speedy and efficient process in tackling backlogged rape kits and evaluating future rape cases.
