| OCR Text |
Show MARCH 6, 2002 WEDNESDAY, Opinion - THE SUN 7 The Truth about Rape Kits Charisse Editor thousands of rape kits are sitting untested in police department evidence rooms. You may be wondering what a rape kit contains. A rape kit consists of evidence that is usually collected at the hospital after a woman is assaulted. This evidence could be anything from stained clothing, to hair and semen, to skin from underneath fingernails. Collecting this evidence can be very invasive for women. Most women feel humiliated but go through this process in hopes that investigators will find something to catch the culprit with. In most cases, the investigation stops here. Police departments say they can't afford $500-- $ ,000 per test to extract and test the evidence. Former Police Commissioner of New York City, found there were 16,000 untested kits in storage when he was in office. He now estimates there are 300,000-500,00- 0 untested kits across the country. ABC's 2020 decided to investigate this problem further. They took their own money and paid the police departmr.; of Baltimore Sagers In Chief In the United States, a woman is sexuallassaulted y every 2 minutes. out of every 3 women will be raped in her lifetime. 85 of victims know their attacker. of rapes go unreported. Only 2 of women raped will ever see 84 rapist spend a day in jail. The average rapist rapes between 8 and 16 women before he is ever caught. A survivor of sexual assault is 9 times more likely than the average person to attempt suicide. With these numbers in mind, I would like to draw your attention to a startling discovery that has been taking place throughout their the country. A few days ago, I was enjoying a day off of work by just relaxing. I turned on the T.V. to Oprah, (what can say, I am a girl) when to topic very rapidly caught my attention. In cities across the country, hundreds of half of the money they needed to test 50 rape kits. Because of this investigation, five major crime cases were solved, and a wrongfully imprisoned man was set free. According to ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent, Brian Ross, in Baltimore alone, it would take an estimated $4.5 million dollars to process their rape kits. Although it may seem like it, police are not the negligent party in this situation. They just don't have the money to test all these rape kits. Howard Safir explains. "For the price of one B- Bomber, we could (test) all of the rape kits and convicted offenders." There are ways to change this. If you would like to get involved, or if you need someone to talk to, you can consult these sources: Howard Safir: Fomier Police Commissioner of New York City. Howard is a consultant to a DNA testing lab and supports the DNA testing of rape kits. If you would like to learn more about this issue and how you him: can help, -l Charlies Vs. Iceberg "Charlies is way better. It's my favorite." Darren Seegmiller Iceberg rocks my world." Holli Dehaan "Iceberg is champion." Dean Monson "Iceberg, because it's flavors come from fresh fruit that are grown on my uncle's "I've never been to either, but the name farm." Chad Barney -- "Charlie's shakes may be ebtter, but berg has better hamburgers & fries." Mike Shalowitz Jeri Elster: Rape Survivor. Jeri, a guest on the Oprah Winfrey show, has been instrumental in changing laws in California and her for more information' Texas. changelaws(T'aol.com Helpful Web sites National Commission on the I mure ol DNA Evidence Understand the value of foiensic DNA evidence in the criminal justice SNstem. httpUwww ojp usdoj govnij dna welcome. html The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) Learn how to get help online at www.rainn.org or call the RAINN National IOPE. Sexual Assault Hotline at The Sun Ice- -- -- "Charlie's is a much better choice 'cuz you get a yummy sandwich & shake & listen to great tunes from the juke box." Natalie Galler -- No Credit-N- o igg T4- Problem! No age limits South Central's Prepaid Wireless Plans are the best way to monitor a and budget your airtime. I You'll never have to worry about going over your minutes again' Many calling plans available! tTcKides FREE Voice Mail! Get your first incoming minute FREE voicemail, paging and text FREE caller ID, 3 way calling, call caller ID block. Includes Toll Free FREE. Plus messaging, waiting and Utah. South Centro! "If you want cheap, great tasting subs and shakes, go to Charlie's. If you want to spend more time and money for greasy food & bigger shakes, go to Iceberg." Josh Fawson -- "Iceburg has bigger portions for less money." Robby Snow -- How to Reach Us Dixie State College, North Plaza Bldg., Rm. 125 225 So. 700 East St. George, UT 84770 Newsroom (435) Advertising (435) 6 Fax "I've nevr been to either, so any volunteers to take me to Iceberg or Charlie's would be ." highly appreciated! My number is -- Amanda Hugenkiss -- V- it r v : i' To V- -- - T' c: 8 656-401- 9 thedixiesunfsvhotmail.com hil)) sun dixie.edu The Sun it distributed WedncvKy during PM! And Spring semesters as a puhhcAtion of Dixie StAtc College, us Arts, Letters And Sciences, And Dixie StAte College Student Activities The unsigned eJiiorul on the of The Sun as deteropinion pAie represent the position mined by us editorul hoArd Otherwise, the views And of the inJividuAl opinions expressed in The Sun Are those writer And do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tte Sun or An entity of the college COMMUNICATIONS "Southern Utah's Clear Choice to Cellular"" (435) 652-78)- 8 Letters to the Editor Policy Letters to the editors must K tvped And iricluJe the tele phone number of the Author OnK the narm will he prime J The Sun reserves the n'ht to withhold the Author s nAnie upon request And to edit letters for length Ation And content Letter' must he nAme And punch, submitted rv n m on FhJav for (lie WeJt.evlAV pAper |
