Dallas County, Sexual Assault Kit Backlog, Texas 2023

Dallas, TX – Hundreds of women in Dallas County have been waiting years for justice, and for the opportunity to heal from the devastating crime of sexual assault. Today, a $1,000,000 federal grant was awarded to the county to help process the backlog of unsubmitted sexual assault kits in law enforcement custody.

According to U.S. Attorney John Parker, the grant is part of the federal government’s efforts to address the issue of untested sexual assault kits. ‘It is my fervent hope that this funding will help bring healing, hope and justice to those affected by the devastating crime of sexual assault,’ he said.

The grant, announced last week by Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch, is one of nine million dollar grants awarded by the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance and funded under the 2016 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.

‘Justice delayed is justice denied. We are thankful for the strong relationship with our federal partners,’ said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. ‘This DOJ grant to test backlogged rape kits supports victims and promotes increased public safety for everyone.’

The program will provide funding to support a community-based comprehensive approach to inventory and test previously unsubmitted kits. It will also enable jurisdictions to assign personnel to pursue leads and criminal investigations based on evidence discovered through kit testing, as well as to develop evidence-based tracking systems and train law enforcement on sexual assault investigations.

The grant will also fund research on outcomes in sexual assault cases and increase collection of DNA that may lead to identification of serial sex offenders. ‘Reducing the backlog of untested sexual assault kits is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive, evidence-based and community-supported approach to resolve,’ said Director Denise O’Donnell of the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

The $1,000,000 grant will bring much-needed resources to Dallas County, where hundreds of women have been waiting for justice. ‘We are committed to helping victims of sexual assault receive the justice they deserve,’ said U.S. Attorney John Parker. ‘This funding will help us move forward in that effort.’

The Dallas County community is grateful for the federal grant, which will help bring healing and hope to those affected by the devastating crime of sexual assault.

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