{"id":20512,"date":"2026-05-29T09:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T16:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512"},"modified":"2026-05-25T09:33:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T16:33:31","slug":"survivors-are-still-waiting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512","title":{"rendered":"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By Tara Woodlee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Survivors Did Everything Right<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There was a time in this country when survivors did everything we asked of them\u2014and the system still failed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Survivors reported the assault, endured hours-long forensic exams, handed over deeply personal, painful evidence.<br>And then\u2026 nothing happened. That evidence sat untested. Ignored. Forgotten. For years. Sometimes decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now, for the first time in U.S. history, all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico have enacted laws to address the rape kit backlog. The final step came in May 2026, when Maine passed its legislation\u2014marking what many call a national milestone,yet this is not the finish line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is the Rape Kit Backlog?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A rape kit, also known as a sexual assault forensic exam kit, is collected after a survivor reports an assault. It contains critical DNA evidence that can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Identify perpetrators<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Link serial offenders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen criminal investigations and prosecutions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A backlog occurs when these kits are never tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not delayed.<br>Not pending.<br>But left sitting in storage, sometimes for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At one point, hundreds of thousands of rape kits remained untested across the United States. That means survivors endured one of the most invasive experiences possible\u2014for evidence that was never even processed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Advocacy Movement That Forced Reform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This progress didn\u2019t happen on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It happened because survivors and advocates demanded change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizations like the Joyful Heart Foundation, founded by Mariska Hargitay, led national efforts through initiatives like End the Backlog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their work exposed major systemic failures, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Widespread numbers of untested kits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No standardized tracking systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lack of accountability across jurisdictions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Survivors left without answers or updates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Years of advocacy led to reforms now seen across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Has Changed Across the United States<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today, every state has taken steps to address the backlog. While laws vary, many reforms now include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mandatory testing of rape kits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Statewide inventories of untested kits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tracking systems for survivors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Policies to prevent future backlogs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased funding for testing and infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This represents real progress\u2014and a shift toward accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why This Milestone Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This moment is significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It reflects years of pressure finally breaking through systemic neglect. It means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Evidence is less likely to be ignored<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Survivors have greater transparency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Systems are being pushed toward accountability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But laws alone do not guarantee justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because passing legislation is one thing. Enforcing it is another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Still Hasn\u2019t Changed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite progress, the reality remains complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across the country:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Some states have not fully implemented reforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Backlogs have been reduced\u2014but not eliminated everywhere<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Survivors still face barriers when reporting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prosecution rates for sexual assault remain low<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And perhaps most importantly\u2014trust has been broken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many survivors, this milestone does not undo the past. It does not change the years they waited. It does not restore the justice they were denied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Message Untested Kits Sent<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a rape kit sits untested, the message is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>You did everything right\u2014and it still didn\u2019t matter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That message extends far beyond a single case. It shapes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whether survivors choose to report<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether they trust the system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Whether they believe justice is possible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where the deepest harm lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why This Matters for Everyone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rape kit backlog is not just about evidence\u2014it\u2019s about accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It reveals how systems can fail when oversight is lacking. How survivor voices can be dismissed. And how long it can take for meaningful reform to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At BTSADV, one truth remains clear:<br><strong>System failures are patterns\u2014and patterns don\u2019t change without pressure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where Do We Go From Here?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This milestone deserves recognition\u2014but it also demands continued attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Real progress means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Full implementation, not partial reform<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consistent accountability, not temporary focus<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Survivor-centered systems, not bureaucratic delays<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And most importantly\u2014it means ensuring this never happens again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Closing: A Different Message Moving Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For years, survivors were left asking questions they should have never had to ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Was my evidence forgotten?<br>Did my case matter?<br>Was anyone ever going to follow through?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This moment doesn\u2019t erase those questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But it does send a new message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are paying attention now.<br>We are tracking now.<br>And we are no longer ignoring what was left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Resources &amp; Support<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you or someone you know needs support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Domestic Violence Hotline<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehotline.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">thehotline.org<\/a><br>Call: 1-800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">breakthesilencedv.org<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BTSADV Support Line<\/strong><br>1-855-BTS-1777<br>Available 9 AM \u2013 9 PM CST, 7 days a week<br>\ud83d\udc9c You are not alone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Tara Woodlee Survivors Did Everything Right There was a time in this country when survivors did everything we asked of them\u2014and the system still failed. Survivors reported the assault, endured hours-long forensic exams, handed over deeply personal, painful evidence.And then\u2026 nothing happened. That evidence sat untested. Ignored. Forgotten. For years. Sometimes decades. Now, for [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":20507,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[348],"tags":[92,161,162,90,116,117,115,128,34],"class_list":["post-20512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-abuse","tag-break-the-silence-against-domestic-violence","tag-btsadv","tag-domestic-violence","tag-emotional-abuse","tag-physical-abuse","tag-survivor","tag-trauma","tag-verbal-abuse"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"All 50 states have passed laws addressing the rape kit backlog\u2014but survivors are still waiting. Learn what\u2019s changed, what hasn\u2019t, and why accountability matters.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"All 50 states have passed laws addressing the rape kit backlog\u2014but survivors are still waiting. Learn what\u2019s changed, what hasn\u2019t, and why accountability matters.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/btsadv\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/btsadv\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-29T16:22:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Untitled-design-2-1024x683.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BreakTheSilenceDV\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/btsadv\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@btsadv\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BreakTheSilenceDV\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BreakTheSilenceDV\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/346cc762df1101d60063c50a3656b46d\"},\"headline\":\"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-29T16:22:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512\"},\"wordCount\":764,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Untitled-design-2.png\",\"keywords\":[\"abuse\",\"break the silence against domestic violence\",\"btsadv\",\"domestic violence\",\"emotional abuse\",\"physical abuse\",\"survivor\",\"trauma\",\"verbal abuse\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512\",\"name\":\"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Untitled-design-2.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-29T16:22:14+00:00\",\"description\":\"All 50 states have passed laws addressing the rape kit backlog\u2014but survivors are still waiting. Learn what\u2019s changed, what hasn\u2019t, and why accountability matters.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Untitled-design-2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/Untitled-design-2.png\",\"width\":1536,\"height\":1024},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?p=20512#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence\",\"description\":\"The National Voice of Domestic Violence\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/11\\\/breakthesilence_logo_2021-01-e1611794569296.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2020\\\/11\\\/breakthesilence_logo_2021-01-e1611794569296.png\",\"width\":3930,\"height\":1160,\"caption\":\"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/btsadv\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/btsadv\",\"http:\\\/\\\/instagram.com\\\/btsadv\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/btsadv\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/346cc762df1101d60063c50a3656b46d\",\"name\":\"BreakTheSilenceDV\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e7b0fa2a8da157468b242814f52247b720deb58aaf72ab7000af81bece654029?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e7b0fa2a8da157468b242814f52247b720deb58aaf72ab7000af81bece654029?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/e7b0fa2a8da157468b242814f52247b720deb58aaf72ab7000af81bece654029?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"BreakTheSilenceDV\"},\"description\":\"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence (BTSADV) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence beyond crisis. BTSADV focuses on long-term healing through financial assistance programs, scholarships, survivor retreats, advocacy initiatives, and a national support line. The organization works to amplify survivor voices, raise awareness about coercive control and systemic failures, and help break generational cycles of abuse through education, outreach, and community engagement.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/btsadv\",\"http:\\\/\\\/instagram.com\\\/btsadv\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/btsadv\\\/mycompany\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/in.pinterest.com\\\/btsadv\\\/domestic-violence-awareness\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/btsadv\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@BTSADV\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/breakthesilencedv.org\\\/?author=4\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence","description":"All 50 states have passed laws addressing the rape kit backlog\u2014but survivors are still waiting. Learn what\u2019s changed, what hasn\u2019t, and why accountability matters.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence","og_description":"All 50 states have passed laws addressing the rape kit backlog\u2014but survivors are still waiting. Learn what\u2019s changed, what hasn\u2019t, and why accountability matters.","og_url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512","og_site_name":"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/btsadv","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/btsadv","article_published_time":"2026-05-29T16:22:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":683,"url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Untitled-design-2-1024x683.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"BreakTheSilenceDV","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/btsadv","twitter_site":"@btsadv","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"BreakTheSilenceDV","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512"},"author":{"name":"BreakTheSilenceDV","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#\/schema\/person\/346cc762df1101d60063c50a3656b46d"},"headline":"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting","datePublished":"2026-05-29T16:22:14+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512"},"wordCount":764,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Untitled-design-2.png","keywords":["abuse","break the silence against domestic violence","btsadv","domestic violence","emotional abuse","physical abuse","survivor","trauma","verbal abuse"],"articleSection":["Blog"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512","url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512","name":"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting - Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Untitled-design-2.png","datePublished":"2026-05-29T16:22:14+00:00","description":"All 50 states have passed laws addressing the rape kit backlog\u2014but survivors are still waiting. Learn what\u2019s changed, what hasn\u2019t, and why accountability matters.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Untitled-design-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Untitled-design-2.png","width":1536,"height":1024},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?p=20512#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"All 50 States Have Addressed the Rape Kit Backlog\u2014But Survivors Are Still Waiting"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/","name":"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence","description":"The National Voice of Domestic Violence","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#organization","name":"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence","url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/breakthesilence_logo_2021-01-e1611794569296.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/breakthesilence_logo_2021-01-e1611794569296.png","width":3930,"height":1160,"caption":"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/btsadv","https:\/\/x.com\/btsadv","http:\/\/instagram.com\/btsadv","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/btsadv"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/#\/schema\/person\/346cc762df1101d60063c50a3656b46d","name":"BreakTheSilenceDV","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e7b0fa2a8da157468b242814f52247b720deb58aaf72ab7000af81bece654029?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e7b0fa2a8da157468b242814f52247b720deb58aaf72ab7000af81bece654029?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e7b0fa2a8da157468b242814f52247b720deb58aaf72ab7000af81bece654029?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"BreakTheSilenceDV"},"description":"Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence (BTSADV) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence beyond crisis. BTSADV focuses on long-term healing through financial assistance programs, scholarships, survivor retreats, advocacy initiatives, and a national support line. The organization works to amplify survivor voices, raise awareness about coercive control and systemic failures, and help break generational cycles of abuse through education, outreach, and community engagement.","sameAs":["https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/btsadv","http:\/\/instagram.com\/btsadv","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/btsadv\/mycompany\/","https:\/\/in.pinterest.com\/btsadv\/domestic-violence-awareness\/","https:\/\/x.com\/https:\/\/twitter.com\/btsadv","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@BTSADV"],"url":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/?author=4"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20512\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/breakthesilencedv.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}