Cohen-Championed Rape Kit Backlog Reduction Grants Now Available

[MEMPHIS, TN] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) announced today that two new federal grant programs aimed at eliminating the nationwide backlog of untested forensic sexual assault kits are now accepting applications. Congressman Cohen championed the funding needed to create these programs during last year’s budget negotiations and successfully fought to increase their funding by an additional $5 million. Untested sexual assault kits are a significant public safety hazard that prevents law enforcement from apprehending violent criminals, increases the risk of additional crimes, and robs victims of the justice they deserve.

“No one should be a victim of sexual assault, but it is a further travesty when communities are terrorized simply because evidence that could be used to prevent these crimes sits untested on a shelf somewhere.” said Congressman Cohen. “We know that, if tested, these rape kits could help catch perpetrators and prevent additional attacks. We must do more to cut through this backlog—it’s the least we can do to give victims the justice they deserve and it is an imperative if we want to keep our communities safe from predators. That’s why I was proud to champion a new grant program specifically aimed at cutting through the backlog and why I am pleased to announce that these grants are now available to Memphis and other communities around the country struggling to provide justice to victims.”

Congressman Cohen authored a deficit-neutral provision included in the 2015 federal budget to transfer $5 million to a new grant program focused specifically on helping law enforcement agencies cut through their sexual assault kit backlogs. The additional funding increased the program’s budget by nearly 15%, from $36 million to $41 million, and increases Memphis’ chance of receiving the funding necessary to significantly reduce its current backlog. The two new federal grant programs are:

National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) FY 2015 Competitive Grant:

This program provides grants to address the growing backlog of sexual assault kits (SAK) at law enforcement agencies. State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, prosecutor’s offices, and certain governmental non-law enforcement agencies are eligible to apply for these grants. Details about how to apply for this grant are available here.

SAKI: National Training and Technical Assistance FY 2015 Competitive Grant:

This program provides grants to support national training and technical assistance for jurisdictions engaged in comprehensive sexual assault response reform related to the issue of untested sexual assault kits. For-profit organizations, nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit or for-profit organizations), faith-based and community organizations, institutions of higher education, and consortiums with demonstrated experience providing national and local-level training and technical assistance are eligible to apply for these grants. For-profit organizations must agree to waive any profit or fees for services. Details about how to apply for this program are available here.