‘Law & Order: SVU’ Star Mariska Hargitay’s Rape Kit Backlog Campaign Marks Legislative Wins in All 50 States
Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation has announced a major milestone in its End the Backlog campaign, achieving rape kit reform legislation in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico after 16 years. The campaign's success includes the enactment of six core reform pillars aimed at eliminating untested rape kit backlogs and improving survivor support. Hargitay credited survivors, advocates, and legislators for their persistent efforts in driving nationwide change.
- ▪Maine was the final state to adopt at least one of the End the Backlog campaign’s six reform pillars.
- ▪The six pillars include mandatory testing of backlogged and new rape kits, statewide tracking systems, inventories, survivor access to kit status, and dedicated funding.
- ▪The Joyful Heart Foundation was founded by Mariska Hargitay in 2004 to support survivors and transform societal responses to sexual violence.
- ▪Hargitay plays Captain Olivia Benson on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,' a role that inspired her advocacy work.
- ▪The campaign aims to ensure accountability, transparency, and dignity for survivors throughout the rape kit testing process.
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Mariska Hargitay in season 27 of 'Law & Order: SVU.' Virginia Sherwood/NBC Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Mariska Hargitay‘s Joyful Heart Foundation has achieved a milestone more than a decade in the making. On Friday, it was announced that after 16 years, the End the Backlog campaign has successfully driven rape kit reform legislation in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
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