With the start of a new year comes a new selection of organizations for our USA Cares program. Our intent with sharing our monthly USA Cares recipients is for others to see a glimpse of what matters to our company. Also, that it might peak an interest in someone to look further into one of our selections, or to find an organization that interests them in their area.
Our first recipient of 2020 was End the Backlog. End the Backlog is an initiative of a national non-profit called Joyful Heart Foundation. While Joyful Heart has a broader mission "to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever", End the Backlog has a more specific mission "to eliminate the existing backlog of untested rape kits across the United States."might peak an interest in someone to look further into one of our selections or to find an organization that interests them in their area.
Estimates are that there are hundreds of thousands of rape kits untested throughout the U.S. That number has been the focus of End the Backlog since its beginning in 2010. Their early work led to groundbreaking research and helped with stronger federal guidelines. Their current work is focused on expanding the dialogue on rape kit testing, increasing public awareness, engaging communities and officials, and comprehensive rape kit reform legislation.
According to End the Backlog's website there are only 11 states with comprehensive statewide reform, and 6 states with no statewide reform. If you would like to know the many ways you can help to change these numbers, click here. If you know someone who has been a victim of sexual assault, please click here for information on resources and support services.