There are more than 2,000 untested sexual assault and rape kits in the state of Virginia today, but Attorney General Mark Herring promises to test them all with the use of a federal grant recently awarded to the state.
The Virginia Department of Forensic Science was awarded $2 million through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative to improve physical evidence testing and provide survivor support services during investigations, Herring announced Wednesday.
The money will also be used to fund a new physical evidence recovery kit tracking system to ensure proper collection and analysis of sexual assault and rape kits.
“I made it my mission to clear out that backlog and help survivors seek justice and closure. This new investment is going to let us take those efforts to the next level, completely eliminating Virginia’s backlog of untested kits once and for all,” he said. “Every survivor will know that their Commonwealth stands with them as they seek justice and healing from these brutal crimes.”
Pohl can be reached at [email protected].
