Another really depressing fact is that many hospitals do not have the rape kits that are used to collect evidence. Apparently Texas recently started requiring that all hospitals with emergency rooms have staff trained to collect evidence. They will not, however, need to be Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners because that would be “expensive”.
Link: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20121012-advocates-try-to-expand-post-assault-services-for-dallas-rape-victims.ece
Link: http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/10414459-452/neil-steinberg-rape-victims-get-short-shrift-in-illinois.html
Link: http://www.texastribune.org/2013/08/13/er-staff-must-be-able-gather-sexual-assault-eviden/
It is also depressing that an estimated 400,000 rape kits have not been tested. This number is only an estimate because many states apparently do not find it worthwhile to keep track. And who knows how many kits were destroyed either intentionally (legally or otherwise) or unintentionally (poor storage conditions).
Link: http://nation.time.com/2013/09/07/the-dark-side-of-clearing-americas-rape-kit-backlog/
Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rape-kits-data-by-the-numbers/
Link: http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/15/15848051-prosecutor-leads-effort-to-test-long-abandoned-rape-kits-brings-justice-to-victims
