There are approximately 11,000 untested rape kits collecting dust in the Detroit police warehouse, and actress Mariska Hargitay is going to do something about it.
The Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star has teamed up with prosecutor Kym Worthy today to push for legislation that will eliminate the backlog of untested rape kits that have become the subject of outrage across the country.
Hargitay said the neglect of these kits is, "the clearest and most shocking demonstration of how we regard these crimes."
Rape victims endure an intense physical examination so that evidence may be collected in hopes of finding the perpetrator. In many police precincts, however, that invasive procedure is just a routine—it is now common practice for rape kits to go untested in America.
Perhaps Detroit will save its failing economy by enticing tourists to come and visit its massive untested rape kit collection. Just a thought horrible idea.
The proposed legislation will require that police process evidence found in rape kits much quicker.
[via Detroit Free Press]
