CBS Evening News Investigates Rape Kit Backlog

CBS Evening News reported on November 10th about the staggering number of untested rape kits in the nation: So far they've discovered 20,000 untested rape kits, and at least 12 major cities in the US have no idea how many untested rape kits they have in storage.

Some disturbing facts from the report:

The arrest rate of rape last year was only 25%--extremely low in comparison to the arrest rate for murder (79%) and aggravated assault (51%)

In some states, rape kits aren't tested for years--in Louisiana the average was 8 years

71% of rapists are repeat offenders, with an average of 6 rapes per rapist--meaning that while incriminating evidence is available, rapists carry out more crimes.

The entire report is 10 minutes long, and available at at this url: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/11/10/cbs-evening-news-katie-couric-features-rape-kit-researcher.

The good news is that Congress has been working to address the rape kit backlog. Al Franken (D-MN) passed a law in the Senate to address the rape kit backlog (full story available here.)

Photo Credit: ynse on flickr.com

You Don't Want to Miss This!

Hey Western States Feminists!

Have you registered for the Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference yet? No? Well hurry up and REGISTER because Early Bird Registration ends Oct. 21!

Right now, it only costs $15 for individuals and $12 per person for groups of 5 or more. To take advantage of this group rate, get in touch with Allie or Jacqueline at amcdonald@feminist.org or jsun@feminist.org or call us at 866-471-3652.

In case you haven't heard, The Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference is the feminist event of the season and you won't want to miss it! It is taking place at Santa Monica College on November 6th and 7th and will feature feminist activists, leaders, elected officials, artists and performers from all over the Western United States!

Topics to be addressed include: global women's rights, women in leadership, rape kit backlogs, femicide, health care reform, violence against women, marriage equality, immigration, trafficking, sweatshops, anti-abortion extremism, exposing fake clinics, and more!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

Want to come but not sure how you'll afford it? Check with your academic department, faculty, student activities office and student government NOW for funding that may be available! Also check out our fundraising tips. Cost shouldn't be a barrier to attend this amazing event, so if you need help, give the West Coast Campus Team a ring at 866-471-3652 (toll-free).

We've also got discount group hotel rates reserved right by the conference. Check out our Hotels Info page for details.

Questions, comments or concerns? Contact Allie and Jacqueline, West Coast Campus Team, at amcdonald@feminist.org or jsun@feminist.org or call us at 866-471-3652.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

Save the Date for the Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference!

Mark your calendars! The Western Regional Feminist Campus Leadership Conference will be held on November 6 & 7, 2009 at Santa Monica College in Los Angeles, California.

Feminists from campuses across the Western United States will converge to discuss women’s rights and equality issues, and to formulate a plan of action.

We’ll address feminist topics including exposing fake clinics, Afghan women’s rights, rape kit backlogs, femicide, anti-choice extremism, marriage equality, health care reform, immigration, global reproductive rights, birth control access and much more.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to network with dynamic speakers and student leaders and fight to improve the lives of women worldwide!

Early Bird Registration will open soon, for the low cost of $15 for individuals, or $12 for each person in a group of 5 or more.

To reserve your spot TODAY, email Allie at amcdonald@feminist.org or Jacqueline at jsun@feminist.org and include your NAME, ADDRESS, EMAIL ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, SCHOOL, AND EXPECTED GRAD DATE.

If you plan on flying in for the conference, LAX is the closest with airport, while Bob Hope Airport in Burbank is the second closest.

Group hotel rates are available at the Travelodge Pico Blvd. Santa Monica. To reserve your room today, call: 310.450.5766 and ask for the "Feminist Majority Foundation" special rate!

We hope you can make it! Website and Facebook event are soon to come!

For Equality,

Allie, Jacqueline and duVergne
The West Coast Campus Team