White House responds to USA TODAY report on rape kit backlog

The White House responded to a USA TODAY investigation on failures to test thousands of rape kits, emphasizing President Joe Biden’s commitment to protecting women from violence. Biden has a history of advocating for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including passing the Violence Against Women Act and launching the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative in 2015. The initiative aimed to test backlogged rape kits, solve more cases, and provide closure to survivors. However, in the nearly 10 years since its launch, progress has been uneven. The Justice Department reported 100,000 kits tested and 1,500 convictions, but many agencies have seen few results. The investigation highlighted ongoing failures and the need for more consistent progress in addressing the backlog of sexual assault kits across the country. The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, stated that Biden has been a strong advocate for protecting women from violence throughout his career and that addressing the issue of untested rape kits remains a priority for his administration.

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