In June 2017, Texas became the first state in the nation to enact all of Joyful Heart’s six legislative pillars of comprehensive rape kit reform. We asked Ilse Knecht, Joyful Heart’s Director of Policy & Advocacy, what this legislative victory means for our work. Watch a video of her conversation with Christine Show, Digital Platforms Manager.

In the video, Ilse reminds us why our work to end the backlog of untested rape kits is so important: “Each untested kit represents a missed opportunity to bring justice to survivors and increase safety in communities.”

As the first state to enact all six recommended pillars of legislative reform, Texas serves as a model for the nation. However, this means there are 49 states left without comprehensive reform—49 states where thousands of survivors await a path to justice and healing.

Victories like reform in Texas are an important reminder that our efforts are working—and that we still have a long way to go.

Visit endthebacklog.org to learn how you can take action to end the backlog in your community.