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What is a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner?
When a person is sexually assaulted, they may choose to undergo a forensic examination to collect DNA evidence left behind in the assault. The evidence is preserved in a sexual assault evidence collection kit, often referred to as a rape kit.
Quiz: How Well Do You Know Joyful Heart's 6 Pillars of Rape Kit Reform?
We began 2019 asking you, our joyful community, to help us advocate to end the backlog of untested rape kits around the United States. We developed six pillars of rape kit reform as part of our national campaign to enact comprehensive rape kit reform laws in every state. While we hope you share information about our campaign with others, we know some of the terminology we use can be challenging.
Attorney General Josh Stein calls for more funding to test backlogged rape kits
North Carolina has the highest number of untested rape kits of any state, but a recent call from N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein for funding to test the kits might change that.
“What we have found through communities that have taken a lot of the old untested kits off the shelves and tested them is that serial offenders have been left free to remain on the streets and commit crimes over and over again,” said Ilse Knecht, director of policy and advocacy for The Joyful Heart Foundation
How to Get Started as an Advocate to End the Rape Kit Backlog
As we kick off a new year and a new legislative session, Joyful Heart continues our work advocating for rape kit reform across the country. Ending the rape kit backlog is a tremendous goal, and we need advocates like you to help by supporting reform where you live.
Whether you are a novice advocate or a seasoned pro, you can make a difference. Here’s how to start advocating for rape kit reform in your community.
Bodies on Backlog
Sexual assault changes a person’s view of self, especially their body, and a rape kit becomes an extended vestige of a survivor’s own body—at great personal cost.
The Joyful Heart Foundation pushes for more funding to labs and for state regulations requiring responsibility for testing kits; it fostered a massive push to get all rape kits tested, even those dating back to the 80’s.
4 Obstacles Facing Latin@ Survivors Who Seek Help
It can be difficult for any person experiencing sexual and domestic violence to seek support and find the resources they need. For some Latin@ survivors, cultural and language barriers can add to these challenges. One in three Latin@ women has experienced physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And 50% of survivors never report their abuse.
Mariska Hargitay Applauds Christine Blasey Ford for Her ‘Courage’ During Brett Kavanaugh Hearing
There’s no doubt that Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh were on most people’s minds for the past 24 hours or so.
6 Ways to Boost Your Health on National Women’s Health and Fitness Day
At Joyful Heart, we know wellness can take many forms, especially for survivors and their loved ones. Tending to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are all part of the healing journey. This year we’re joining other organizations to recognize September 26 as National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, an annual event for women of all ages to celebrate different ways to stay healthy.
Hargitay hails impact of 'SVU' as It marks 20 seasons
NEW YORK — Mariska Hargitay thinks Law & Order: Special Victims Unit has played a huge role in educating people on sexual violence, but believes there is still a lot of work to do.
The star of the TV drama spoke as the NBC show celebrated its 20th season Thursday at the Tribeca TV Festival.
Using #WhyIDidntReport, Twitter users challenge Trump after he questions why Ford didn't report
Some of the most vocal proponents of the #MeToo movement and droves of other women have come to the defense of Christine Blasey Ford after President Donald Trump questioned her credibility and wondered why she didn’t report her sexual assault at the time she said it happened.
