Public Perceptions of Untested Sexual Assault Kits

• In Event: Issues Related to Sex Offending and Drug Use: Perceptions, Statutes, and Practices

Abstract

The issue of untested sexual assault kits in police storage facilities across the country continues to gain national attention. It is unclear exactly how many kits have not been tested; however, some researchers estimate that more than 200,000 untested kits exist across the country (Campbell et al., forthcoming). As a result, some jurisdictions have proposed significant reforms to test previously untested kits, national and local media outlets have published numerous news stories on the issue, and organizations such as the Joyful Heart Foundation (and their initiative, EndtheBacklog.com) and the Human Rights Watch have brought current news to followers in a number of different formats. It is clear that news about untested sexual assault kits is being disseminated to the general population. This paper examines how this coverage impacts public perceptions surrounding untested kits and the criminal justice system.

Authors

• Gillian M. Pinchevsky, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• William H. Sousa, University of Nevada, Las Vegas