'Unacceptable': How USA TODAY's rape kit reporting sparked officials to call for change

Rep. Barbara Lee is among lawmakers, victims' rights advocates and law enforcement officials who called for increased accountability after a USA TODAY investigation into the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative .

Since 2015 , the program has doled out nearly $350 million to state and local agencies with the goal of testing old rape kits, investigating cases and bringing closure to survivors.

USA TODAY found grant sites have left kits untested for a second time, given cases only a cursory review after testing.

Detroit prosecutor Kym Worthy says it's "infuriating" that prosecutors haven't issued more charges from backlogged cases.

In Austin , officials faced a backlog of about 4,400 kits but have secured just one conviction.

In 2021 , DNA from two of the city’s unsolved sexual assault cases matched, providing police a lead to a serial rapist.

Florida Rep. Angie Nixon said she worries the office’s approach will keep people from seeking law enforcement help because they believe they won’t be taken seriously.

Experts recommend testing all kits from reported crimes and stressed that victims often disengage from the legal process when they are mistreated by police.