SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Today, the Minneapolis Police Department revealed that they have discovered hundreds of rape kits that weren’t tested or reported during a 2015 audit. Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL – Roseville) and Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL – Shoreview) issued the following statement in response:
“The backlog of 1,700 untested rape kits is unacceptable. These kits represent hundreds of survivors who sought justice and have gone years or even decades without receiving it. We will work with victims’ advocates and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to ensure that the unrestricted rape kits are tested as soon as possible and survivors are notified. We are committed to clearing the existing backlog and preventing future ones.”
Rep. Becker-Finn and Rep. Moller have worked extensively with victims and survivors of sexual violence. This year Rep. Becker-Finn successfully passed legislation to establish a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program. Rep. Moller championed legislation that led to the creation of a working group that will review Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes and identify loopholes and inconsistencies. She also led efforts to require law enforcement agencies to adopt a clear investigation policy for sexual assault cases. During the interim, Rep. Becker-Finn and Rep. Moller have continued to work on these issues with survivors, advocates, the BCA, and others.