Faith Leaders Tapped in $50K Drive to Clear Rape Kits

DETROIT, MI – Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans and Prosecutor Kym Worthy on Thursday announced a new Bringing Justice Initiative to raise $50,000 from religious leaders to help clear a backlog of rape kits found more than five years ago in a Detroit police warehouse.

The partnering First Ladies of Wayne County, an all-female, interdenominational action group Evans appointed to address and act on critical issues affecting women in the county, made a $10,000 pledge toward the goal.

SEE ALSO

• Detroit Discovers at Least 100 Serial Rapists After It Finally Gets Around to Processing Thousands of Rape Kits
• Another $1M Earmarked to Clear Rape Kit Backlog

Approximately 75 leaders of churches and mosques from across Southeast Michigan were encouraged at a kickoff brunch at Greater Grace Temple Banquet Hall & Conference Center to raise at least $500 each to support the Bringing Justice initiative.

Last year, Wayne County set aside $1 million in additional funds for Worthy’s budget to help investigate the backlogged rape kits, and also made office space her rape task force in the Guardian Building.

“This initiative is about bringing people together to help others and in this case, we are helping those who have been affected by terrible assaults,” Evans said in a statement Thursday. “Today we took a step closer to closing the gap of bringing justice to victims who have waited too long for answers from these kits.”

About 1,000 of the 11,000 forgotten rape kits still haven’t been tested.

As of Feb. 1, 729 offenders have been identified as suspected serial sexual offenders. Another 1,369 cases await investigation. Thirty-six offenders have been convicted.

The Bringing Justice Initiative runs through March 18, after which all monies donated will be managed by The African American 490 Challenge. The group, which raises funds and awareness to support those silenced by sexual assault, also joined the initiative by providing a web-based option for donations and educational materials.