Rape Kit Backlog Reaches Zero

Kits have been sent out for testing, but the wait continues

"...The Austin Police Department’s notorious rape kit backlog is no more. Dana Kadavy, executive director..."

April 9, 2018 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Advocates Ask Council to Solve Rape Kit Backlog

APD’s DNA lab closure puts 1,300 kits on hold indefinitely

"...City Council to immediately prioritize the Austin Police Department’s rape kit backlog in light of the DNA lab closure...."

July 29, 2016 News Post by Annamarya Scaccia

APD Touts Progress on Rape Kit Backlog

Police update community on what’s been done and what comes next

"...Greg Casar announced that the Austin Police Department’s massive backlog of rape kits had finally been tested. On Friday,..."

Feb. 22, 2019 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog: Now Tested

From 4,000 to zero

"...The city's entire rape kit backlog has been tested, reports City Council Member..."

Nov. 2, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog Cleared: Now What?

Advocates still uncertain of what’s being done with the results

"...that the Austin Police Department has tested its entire backlog of rape kits – a number that ballooned to..."

Nov. 16, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

The Cost of Clearing the Rape Kit Backlog

APD agrees to fund SAFE kit testing through pre-existing funds

"...The Austin Police Department further committed to clearing its backlog of sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) kits, telling City..."

Sept. 16, 2016 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

The Cost of Clearing the Rape Kit Backlog

APD agrees to fund SAFE kit testing through pre-existing funds

"...The Austin Police Department further committed to clearing its backlog of sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kits, telling City..."

Sept. 13, 2016 News Post by Chase Hoffberger

APD’s New Unit to Tackle Rape Kit Backlog

Four detectives will be assigned to the new crew

"...Testing results from the city's rape kit backlog are finally beginning to come in. On..."

May 26, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog Threatens Justice for Survivors

Closed DNA lab delays already strained system

"...With a backlog of about 3,000 sexual assault forensic exams (SAFEs) waiting..."

Aug. 12, 2016 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Rape Kit Backlog Reaches Zero

Kits have been sent out for testing, but the wait continues

April 13, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

City Speeds Up Rape Kit Review

New contracts will expedite the process to clear rape kit backlog

"...contracts to expedite entry of years' worth of now-tested rape kits in the FBI's DNA database. Three firms will..."

June 21, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Sexual Assault Advocates Demand Answers for Rape Kit Negligence

Group pens letter to mayor, police chief, city manager

"...Disconcerting reports about the current status of APD’s ever-growing rape kit backlog has prompted Travis County’s Sexual Assault Response..."

March 1, 2017 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Why Aren’t UT Students Getting Rape Kits?

The numbers don't add up

"...women and 7% of female grad students have been raped during their enrollment. These numbers are part of a..."

March 30, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Davis Calls for an End to Statute of Limitations for Rape

Candidate proposes ending 10-year limit on sexual assault offenses

"...proposal that would end the statute of limitations for rape and sexual assault offenses in Texas, earlier this week...."

Aug. 22, 2014 News Post by Mary Tuma

Rape Case Audit Faults APD

Shows fewer than one-third were cleared in accordance with federal guidelines

"...Of the Austin Police Department's "exceptionally cleared" rape cases audited by the Texas Department of Public Safety..."

Jan. 4, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

An Outside Review of APD’s Handling of Rape Cases?

In light of DPS audit, police chief confirms there's work to be done

"...of Public Safety after the department’s practices for clearing rape cases garnered negative national attention...."

Jan. 16, 2019 News Post by Sarah Marloff

City Council Picks Team to Audit APD Rape Cases

The 18-month project will be led by D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum

"...Seven months after City Council unanimously called for a..."

Sept. 27, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

DPS to Audit Austin Rape Case Clearance

APD chief asks for review of cases that aren't really solved

"...Though Manley said he requested DPS's review as a..."

Dec. 7, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

What Happens to Rape Victims?

Sixteen months and nothing

"...slammed her head into the structure's cement wall and raped her on the floor. Two of his friends kept..."

Dec. 2, 2016 News Feature by Kathryn Lundstrom

Who’s Testing APD’s Backlog of Evidence?

“Everything is on hold”

"...Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT), the department's evidence backlog continues to grow as lab capacity concerns across the..."

Feb. 24, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD’s Backed Up DNA Backlog

The department still holds evidence from 3,294 sexual assault cases

"...the cases that had built up in the department's backlog over the past couple of years, and the 2,454..."

Feb. 10, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Rape Claims Hit Rideshare Drivers

Lyft, RideAustin drivers both arrested on sexual assault charges

"...Osmani Limonta Diaz, a former driver with RideAustin, allegedly raped a woman in the back of his car after..."

Oct. 20, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD Knew About Moldy Rape Kits Back in April

Moldy rape kits a problem for prosecution, defense, survivors

"...has been found growing on the exteriors of 849 rape kits being stored inside the Austin Police Department's evidence..."

July 7, 2017 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Austin’s Sexual Assault Controversies Roil the District Attorney’s Race

Margaret Moore's controversial handling of rape cases brings opponents to the race

"...Attorney Margaret Moore, she says, to stand up for rape survivors whose rights she believes are being ignored by..."

Feb. 7, 2020 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

The Future of Austin’s Crime Lab

The backlog of DNA evidence is moving, but is it shrinking?

"...News of the shutdown prompted the #EndtheBacklog campaign, a coordinated effort by sexual assault advocates who..."

Dec. 2, 2016 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Federal Judge Hears Oral Arguments in Sexual Assault Class Action

Yeakel to consider motions to dismiss before issuing scheduling order

"...action suit brought against both entities by eight local rape survivors...."

Dec. 17, 2018 News Post by Sarah Marloff

Sexual Assault and the City

District Judge Lee Yeakel will hear arguments on whether to dismiss the class action suit filed by rape survivors against the city

"...sexual assault class action suit filed by eight women rape survivors against local law enforcement, the Travis County District..."

Nov. 23, 2018 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

An Army of Women Tells the Story of a Criminal Justice Crusade in Austin

Julie Lunde Lillesæter shines a light on the women who made Austin a better place for rape survivors

"...the class action lawsuit filed, in total, by 15 rape survivors against the city, county, and local criminal justice..."

March 8, 2024 Screens Feature by Sarah Marloff

APD Asks City Council for Financial Help With DNA Testing

And more news from the dais

"...the bulk of APD's DNA evidence, including its now-cleared rape kit backlog. The two contracts, however, are set to..."

April 26, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Class Action Lawsuit Seeks Justice for Sexual Assault Survivors

Plaintiffs cite longstanding malpractice by Austin, Travis County

"...Conner filed on behalf of “all women” who’ve been raped in Travis County and were “adversely affected” by local..."

June 19, 2018 News Post by Sarah Marloff

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