When I first became involved with Joyful Heart in 2010, justice was a concept that I had given up on almost entirely.

My rape kit had already languished for nearly 14 years, part of the backlog of 12,669 untested rape kits in Los Angeles. After more than a decade of trying—unsuccessfully—to determine the fate of my kit and see my attacker held accountable, I had given up hope.

But the Joyful Heart Foundation helped me get my moment of justice. Thanks in part to their advocacy in Los Angeles, my kit—along with thousands of others—was tested when LA ended its historic backlog. The man who attacked me was a serial rapist. He was found and subsequently sentenced to almost 30 years in prison. I could live without fear. I was given a voice. I finally had my justice.

Dramatic results like mine echoed across the nation as major cities, like Detroit and Memphis, took steps towards eliminating their backlogs, thanks very much to the advocacy and awareness Joyful Heart has devoted to ending the rape kit backlog.

There is still work to be done though. The calls for justice from tens—if not hundreds—of thousands of other survivors across the nation still remain unanswered in many places.

But the tide is clearly shifting. Today, a search for “rape kit backlog” returns dozens of pages filled with results—and Joyful Heart tops the list. Legislation is being enacted in state capitols across the country. New backlogs are being discovered and ended for good. And, within the last few months, historic funding commitments have been dedicated to comprehensive rape kit reform nationwide.

My heart bursts with hope knowing that other survivors are being healed by this long-awaited justice. And every day, I am grateful, because there is no other gift as precious as the peace and joy that justice brings—a gift that I hope everyone will be able to receive someday.

Your contribution today helps bring justice and healing to survivors through Joyful Heart's work, including its dedicated, relentless and effective work to end the rape kit backlog.

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With hope,

Helena Lazaro