Number of untested rape kits startling

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville is home to 1,943 untested rape or sexual assault kits, according to a startling CBS Evening News report.

“I feel like the system is really broken and something needs to be done to safety net why these are happening,” Victoria Suri-Beltran said.

Like many college students, Suri-Beltran knows a number of people who’ve been raped. Her frustration makes sense, but the solutions she’s looking for may not be that simple.

Action News has been asking local law enforcement groups about rape kits since December. Reporter Paige Kelton was told by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that there was not a backlog.

Action News was told the same thing, but did get further explanation on Wednesday.

According to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, kits are not tested for a number of reasons. If the case being investigated had a known suspect and a confession from the suspect, the test would not be sent in for analysis.

Likewise, if there was a victim who refused to cooperate or refused to prosecute, the kit would not be sent in. Regardless of the circumstance, the kits were collected and maintained as part of the investigation into the case, should it would be needed for any reason for future prosecution.

That’s why there’s so many untested kits, according to the JSO.

Suri-Beltran says at the end of the day, the focus should be the victims. She’s seen friends' unresolved pain and doesn’t want to see it again.

“It goes beyond just that one day in the hospital that they go to you. It takes extreme work, but yes, it’s a lot of work. It’s protecting the citizens in your area, and that’s important.

To date, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has reduced its untested kits by 380.

Action News reached out to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. They said on average, it takes them 79 days to process a rape kit.

WJAX