|
Harris estimated she would invest $1 billion to eliminate the
backlog, which she said would cover an estimated 225,000 kits
that remain untested.
Rape kits are collected when a victim reports an assault and DNA
or other physical evidence is collected. State crime labs have
built huge backlogs of untested kits, some of which may be able
to identify assailants already in the system.
Harris would require states that receive her proposed funding to
also implement four sets of reforms.
States would have to begin tracking and disclosing the number of
untested kits, test newly collected kits in a short time frame,
track kits and let victims know the status of testing and
provide law enforcement agencies, particularly in rural areas,
with more kits.
Harris has tried to capitalize on her time overseeing the
prosecution of crimes while California 's attorney general
before she was elected to represent the state in the U.S.
Senate.
While the role has drawn criticism that she was overzealous in
prosecuting some cases, particularly drug offenses and those
that more heavily affect black people, she has also tried to use
her prosecutorial record as an asset and argues it positions her
to better challenge Republican President Donald Trump.
"The federal government can and should prioritize justice for
survivors of sex abuse, assault and rape," Harris said in a
statement. "As California's attorney general, I committed
resources and attention to clearing a backlog of 1,300 untested
rape kits at state-run labs, and we got it done within my first
year in office. We need the same focus at the national level to
pursue justice and help hold predators accountable."
(Reporting by Ginger Gibson; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
[© 2019 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2019 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
