HEART Founder Urges Congress to Reduce DNA Case Backlogs by Reauthorizing the Debbie...

HEART Founder Urges Congress to Reduce DNA Case Backlogs by Reauthorizing the
Debbie Smith Act

WASHINGTON, April 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Without federal
reauthorization of the Debbie Smith Act, state and local governments will lose
federal financial support for forensic DNA analysis after 2009.
To oppose such losses, Debbie Smith -- a rape survivor, rape victim
advocate, and founder of Hope Exists After Rape Trauma (HEART) -- testified at
a U.S. Congressional hearing today in Washington D.C. Debbie called on the
federal government to help victims of violent crimes by reauthorizing funding
for this important federal DNA backlog grant program, which was part of the
Justice for All Act of 2004. At risk is this program's funding that state and
local forensic laboratories depend upon to assist in reducing DNA backlogs and
improving the use of DNA in the criminal justice system nationwide.
"If Congress does not authorize federal DNA funding at current or
increased levels, the financial burden to reduce DNA-related case backlogs
will inevitably shift to state and local governments that simply are not ready
to handle this burden," said Debbie Smith. "Five years ago, the President of
the United States and the U.S. Congress recognized the federal government's
crucial role in supporting the use of DNA to solve violent crimes throughout
the country, bring hope to victims, and exonerate the innocent. I know
firsthand the power of this tool. We must continue to build on this progress
to identify rapists and other criminals more quickly and, by all means, not
allow backlogs to be an excuse for making victims wait, often in fear, while
their attackers roam free."
Because of a significant DNA case backlog causing delays in the
resource-constrained criminal justice system, Debbie Smith waited nearly seven
years to find out the identify of her attacker. Her ordeal began on March 3,
1989 when Debbie was abducted from her Williamsburg, Virginia home, dragged
into the woods and raped. The masked attacker warned Debbie not to report the
crime, reminding her that he knew where she lived.
After the sexual assault, Debbie feared that her unknown attacker would
return to further harm her or her family. The traumatic effect of the assault
remained with Debbie and her family for almost seven years, and then her
perpetrator was finally caught through the DNA database system known as CODIS
(Combined DNA Index System). Years later, Debbie took her story to the U.S.
Congress, and her efforts culminated in the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog program
created by Congress on October 30, 2004.
"I commend Debbie Smith for having the courage to speak publicly about her
ordeal, not only to Congress but also to the entire world," said Mary Lou
Leary, executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime. "She
speaks for the millions of people who can't be present today to seek
Congress's support for this vital program. Debbie is doing her part for
victims who need timely processing of DNA evidence, and I hope that Congress
will do theirs."
The Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Program has had a strong, positive impact on
helping to reduce case backlogs over the past four years. This program
authorizes Congress to spend over $150 million annually to reduce DNA
backlogs. In 2004 it was estimated that over 500,000 rape kits and other
unsolved crimes had DNA evidence yet to be tested.
The mission of H-E-A-R-T is to provide HOPE for victims of sexual assault
through the provision of essential and therapeutic support, by affecting
positive change in laws influencing their lives, and by educating both the
public and professionals commissioned to serve victims. A vital issue in this
matter involves the use of DNA. To enhance that use, H-E-A-R-T will promote
the continued use of DNA, and through educating legislators, law enforcement
officials, and others, promote its expanded use and continued improvement.
H-E-A-R-T promotes victim empowerment and encourages the public to have a
greater understanding of and respect for sexual assault victims.
The National Center for Victims of Crime is dedicated to forging a
national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. The
National Center's National Crime Victim Helpline, 1-800-FYI-CALL, offers
victims supportive counseling, practical information about crime and
victimization, referrals to local community resources, and skilled advocacy in
the criminal justice and social service systems.
SOURCE The National Center for Victims of Crime

Elizabeth Joyce of The National Center for Victims of Crime, +1-202-467-8729,
cell, +1-240-274-4608, ejoyce@ncvc.org