STFU, Rape Culture!

Received a heads up from RAINN about this. Check it out!

What is SAFER?
The SAFER Act (H.R. 1523/S. 3250) is a no-cost bill that will create the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER), which will track the status of DNA evidence collected in rape cases (commonly known as rape kits).

Why We Need It:
There’s a huge backlog of DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases that has never been sent to the lab for analysis. Until we test this evidence and identify the rapists, those criminals remain free to attack more victims.

How SAFER Will Help:
SAFER will bring transparency to the DNA rape kit testing process, help us efficiently target resources to cities that have the biggest backlogs, and empower the communities with information about the rape kit testing status in their area. It will help eliminate the evidence backlog and take thousands of rapists off the streets.

How You Can Help:
Call or email your U.S. Representative and Senators (calling is more effective, but an email will help, too). Below are samples of what to write or say.

Look up the name and contact information for your U.S. Representative here.

Look up the name and contact information for your U.S. Senators here.

Sample Call Script:

• My name is _________ and I live in [your town, your state].
• I am calling to encourage Congressman/Congresswoman/Senator [Last Name] to cosponsor [H.R. 1523/S. 3250], the SAFER Act. This no-cost bill will help reduce the DNA backlog in rape cases, bring more efficiency and transparency to the criminal justice system, and empower victims of rape.
• This bill is sponsored by [U.S. Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Ted Poe/U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Michael Bennet] and has strong bipartisan support.
• I hope you will support this important bill. Thank you.

Sample Email:
Dear [U.S. Rep./U.S. Sen.] [Last Name],

There is a huge backlog of untested DNA evidence from unsolved rape cases. We need your help to end this problem and take rapists off the streets. Please cosponsor [H.R. 1523/S. 3250], the SAFER Act. This no-cost bill will help reduce the DNA backlog in rape cases, bring more efficiency and transparency to the criminal justice system, and empower victims of rape. The bill has strong bipartisan support, and I urge you to join your colleagues in cosponsoring this vital bill.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your City, State]