AceShowbiz - Mariska Hargitay’s End the Backlog campaign has reached a historic achievement as every U.S. state, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, has now passed at least one key reform related to rape kits. This milestone was announced by the initiative on Friday, highlighting the impact of ongoing, survivor-centered advocacy.

The final state to join this nationwide effort is Maine, where Governor Janet Mills approved an enacted budget (LD2212) that allocates $267,000 annually to create a statewide inventory and tracking system for rape kits. This step completes the nationwide adoption of reforms aimed at addressing the backlog of untested sexual assault evidence kits.

Since 2010, Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation has led the End the Backlog initiative, which has become a driving force behind the national movement to reform how rape kits are handled. The campaign promotes the Six Pillars of Rape Kit Reform, a comprehensive framework designed to prioritize survivors’ rights and ensure accountability.

The Six Pillars include mandatory testing of kits, statewide inventories, survivor notification rights, and dedicated funding streams. Together, these measures work to guarantee that no rape kit is left untested and that no survivor’s experience is ignored, according to the foundation. This nationwide effort reflects a significant victory in addressing a critical issue in the criminal justice system.