Health

Report: Detroit Model in Effort to Clear Rape-Kit Backlog

Published

10 years ago

April 8, 2015

ALISHA GREEN, Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Chronic understaffing and police attitudes toward victims contributed to thousands of rape kits going untested for years in Detroit, but the city’s success in clearing the backlog could be a model for other cities facing similar problems, according to a report released Tuesday.

A final review of the city’s effort, released by the U.S. Justice Department’s National Institute of Justice, said a coalition of law enforcement agencies, victims’ advocates and other groups proved successful in Detroit and could set a national example. But researchers also found that a lack of resources and staff, and police attitudes toward rape, contributed to the backlog.

“There was clear evidence of police treating victims in dehumanizing ways,” the report states. Researchers also found that law enforcement personnel regularly expressed “negative, stereotyping beliefs about sexual assault victims.”

Around 8,700 untested rape kits were found in Detroit in 2009, including some dating back to the 1980s. The city has since cleared the backlog — and made several arrests — thanks to a coalition that included the Wayne County prosecutor’s office, Detroit and state police, Michigan State University researchers, and nursing and victim advocacy groups. The coalition, formed with the help of funding from the National Institute of Justice, began its work in 2011.

The coalition developed victim-centered training for police, prosecutors, nurses and advocates to help address negative attitudes toward reports of sexual assault.

Detroit also received $4 million from the state to specifically work on testing kits, and the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office partnered with the Michigan Women’s Foundation and Detroit Crime Commission to raise money for investigating and prosecuting rape cases.

“Rape kit testing reform is possible, and we showed how to do it,” said Rebecca Campbell, a psychology professor at Michigan State University who was the lead investigator on the report. “Our work in Detroit can serve as a model for other communities in how to form multidisciplinary partnerships, develop evidence-based solutions for rape kit testing and help survivors heal from the trauma of rape.”

She said all of the untested Detroit kits have now been tested with funding from Gov. Rick Snyder’s office and the state attorney general. Some still are going through scientific technical review.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced last year that testing had resulted in identifying 127 serial sexual assaults. About 59 percent had yielded matches in a federal DNA databank, with at least 87 serial rapists identified and 10 convictions made.

Under laws signed by Snyder last year, police are required to obtain a rape-evidence box from a health care facility within 14 days of being notified. Police have 14 more days to submit the DNA to a lab, where it generally must be analyzed within 90 days.

Natasha Alexenko is a survivor of sexual assault and founder of Natasha’s Justice Project, which works to address backlogs of rape kits around the country. She said other cities have been paying close attention to Detroit.

“These reports coming out are definitely going to make other jurisdictions sit up, take notice, and say it’s time to take care of our backlog as well,” Alexenko said.

___

Online:

Summary: http://bit.ly/1H2SYAy

Report: http://1.usa.gov/1Jlb00k

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Activism

LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

5 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention Highlights Black Voter Engagement, and More

A Friday panel featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, healthcare access, and environmental protection. This session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains in civil and environmental rights over decades. Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address these challenges.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

NAACP State Conference President Rick Callender (right) engages in a discussion on voter engagement and community advocacy with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson during the 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Rich Woods.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded on Sunday, Oct 27, following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.” The participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

On Saturday, the President’s Fireside Chat brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and CA/HI State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.

Guest speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), who spoke at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

Honors were given to longtime social justice advocate and former Assemblymember Mike Davis for his work in community activism. At the same time, actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.

The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.

Sunday’s events closed with a Prayer and Memorial Breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.

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Atty Gen Bonta: U.S. Law Mandating Emergency Care to All Patients Faces Threats

The attorney general highlighted that EMTALA is vital for ensuring that no individual is turned away from emergency services based on financial status or insurance coverage. Bonta stated that the law has been a cornerstone of emergency healthcare for decades, providing peace of mind to millions of Americans who might otherwise hesitate to seek urgent medical attention due to cost concerns.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the critical need to protect the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), mandating that hospitals provide emergency care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

In a recent statement, Bonta highlighted the potential threats to this essential legislation amid ongoing discussions about healthcare accessibility in the U.S.

“EMTALA ensures that no one is denied access to emergency medical care, including abortion care, and this federal law is more imperative than ever following the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” said Bonta.

This decision to support the federal government’s case comes at a time when many healthcare providers are facing pressure from rising costs and legislative changes that could undermine existing protections. Bonta called on lawmakers to reinforce EMTALA’s provisions and to combat any efforts aimed at weakening the act, asserting that equitable access to emergency care is a fundamental right.

He urged state and federal governments to ensure that all Americans, particularly marginalized communities, have the necessary access to emergency services without fear of financial repercussions. The brief indicates the coalition’s commitment to healthcare equity, emphasizing that maintaining strong protections under EMTALA is crucial for safeguarding public health.

As discussions around healthcare policy continue, Bonta remains steadfast in promoting initiatives that protect emergency care access, asserting that everyone deserves timely and appropriate medical treatment in emergencies. His efforts align with ongoing legal and advocacy battles to preserve the rights established by EMTALA in the face of evolving healthcare challenges.