Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced the launch of his office’s newly created sexual assault website.
The new website, endnevadasbacklog.ag.nv.gov, results from a sexual assault kit testing initiative that began in March 2015.
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In an effort to address Nevada’s backlog of nearly 8,000 untested sexual assault kits, Laxalt formed Nevada’s Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Working Group to develop strategies and best practices associated with the state’s backlog.
The homepage of the website houses statistical information tracking the progress of Nevada’s sexual assault kit testing initiative, including the most current numbers on how many backlogged kits have been sent to labs for testing, have completed testing, have resulted in DNA matches, and have culminated in arrests. Also on the homepage, users can click on the “Get Help” tab to obtain information on how to report a sexual assault, what they can expect from a medical examination, where they can obtain an examination, and more. The website was designed with the needs of survivors in mind, and includes an “Escape Site” tab giving users a quick and disguised exit from the website.
Other featured tabs include information on Nevada’s backlog of untested sexual assault kits, a demonstration of how sexual assault kits are used to collect DNA samples for testing, and information on the goals and objectives of Nevada’s statewide Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Working Group. The website also includes a “Resources” tab, guiding users through information and accompanying websites for all of Nevada’s law enforcement agencies, as well as national, statewide and local resources available to survivors of sexual crimes.
Additional information can be found on the website regarding what constitutes sexual assault, the timeline for making reports with local law enforcement, information on rights victims of crime are entitled to, and related legislation and reports.
To view the website, visit endnevadasbacklog.ag.nv.gov. The website can also be accessed through the Office of the Nevada Attorney General’s main website at ag.nv.gov.
