We are so grateful to all the survivors who have reached out to us recently. You continue to inspire and motivate this project.
We are here for you. We believe you.
Natasha’s Justice Project is ending the rape kit backlog through education, advocacy and funding. Help us empower survivors of sexual assault and the law makers, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies that are trying to reduce their backlog of unprocessed rape kits.
Click here to learn about some of our success stories
Exciting Changes at Natasha’s Justice Project!
We’ve been working diligently at NJP to best serve the needs of survivors of sexual assault and their communities. We will be launching a new website very soon and we’ve been recruiting new Board Members to help further our mission. We are so grateful to have them on our team. Stayed tuned for more updates.
Natasha is working with the National Institute of Justice as a part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.
Check out the video below:
What can you do to help?
- Donate
- Host a fundraiser! We’ve been blessed with comedy nights, film screenings, Etsy proceeds, and bake sales, the possibilities are endless! Contact info@NatashasJusticeProject.org for more details!
- Contact your local legislator to find out if there are any bills that can be supported that empower survivors.
- Help us spread the word! Tell your friends and family about our mission to test every single rape kit. You can find us on Facebook , Crowdrise and Twitter .
Will you help us continue this work to get rape kits off the shelves and tested? Donate today
The mission of Natasha’s Justice Project is to eliminate the nation’s rape kit backlog crisis and empower survivors of sexual assault through education, advocacy and funding.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. The tax ID number for Natasha’s Justice Project is 45-1534886.
April Is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
This April, we need your voice to change the future.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) celebrates surviving sexual assault and encourages people to raise awareness about sexual violence and educate communities. Together, we can show how sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue and reinforce the need for prevention efforts. Processing untested rape kits is an important part of empowering survivor/victims and creating safer communities.
For more information on how you can use your voice, contact Natasha@NatashasJusticeProject.org.
RAPE KIT ACTION PROJECT
“Justice matters. It matters to victims like me. It matters to the families of victims. It matters to the wrongfully accused. And it matters to constituents – male, female, young and old.” – Natasha Alexenko
Help us work for justice by championing legislation to inventory untested rape kits and establish a statewide policy on rape kit testing requirements. Ensuring testing of rape kits isn’t just good public policy, it also makes sound fiscal sense. Testing all reported sexual assaults and apprehending serial offenders results in a cost savings in the long run – some $12.9 billion, according to one study. All states need to provide victims of sexual violence with hope for justice. Read More…
ALAMEDA COUNTY UPDATE
On Tuesday, February 25th, Natasha’s Justice Project was proud to join Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley as 100 unprocessed rape kits made their way to be tested. Read More…
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE WOMEN’S HISTORY SERIES
Natasha’s Justice Project is proud to participate in University of Delaware’s Women’s History Film Series. On March 10th, 2014, Natasha will be speaking following a screening of HBO’s Sex Crimes Unit. If your school is interested in hosting Natasha as a speaker, contact Karen@NatashasJusticeProject.org
JUSTICE MATTERS
As 2013 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect upon the past as we eagerly anticipate the future. We are proud of our accomplishments and are grateful for all the support you, our extended Natasha’s Justice Project family, have given us.
Your support of Natasha’s Justice Project this year has brought closure to survivors of sexual assault, made your community a safer place and strengthened our mission to end the backlog of unprocessed rape kits through education, advocacy and funding. Because of you, thousands of survivors of sexual assault know that they are not alone. They know they matter to you. That justice matters to you.
Your assistance had a big impact this year:
- You helped us expose the backlog to millions of people through media interviews, broadcasts and articles in which Natasha’s Justice Project was featured.
- Through your support we were able to educate thousands of University students, criminalists, sexual assault nurse examiners, first responders, educators and the general public as Natasha toured the country delivering our message about sexual assault and the back log of untested rape kits.
- Your generosity allowed for the creation of student organizations at University of Delaware and University of North Carolina Asheville that are now dedicated to supporting NJP through campus education on sexual assault and the rape kit backlog.
- You helped us lay the groundwork in 2013 and we look forward to big initiatives in 2014. With your help, we will expand upon the programs you have allowed us establish this year. We continue to work with Alameda County and support District Attorney Nancy O’Malley’s noble efforts to make her community a safer place and bring justice to survivors of sexual assault.
- And beginning this fall, Natasha’s Justice Project, NCVC (National Center for Victims of Crimes) and RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) initiated the Rape Kit Action Project to put forth proposed legislation state by state to encourage the testing of all unprocessed rape kits and ensure a backlog will never exist again. The project involves contacting state legislators throughout the country, creating a website, and producing model legislation that can be used in the development of legislation.
BACKLOG OF UNTESTED RAPE KITS SUBJECT OF PANEL DISCUSSION
Natasha’s Justice Project is honored to join the California Center for Research on Women and Families for its 2014 Women’s Policy Summit. The focus of the summit is Advancing Women’s Health, Wealth and Power. One of the featured workshops at the summit will focus on the backlog of untested rape kits. Natasha will be serving as a member of the panel along with DA Nancy O’Malley, Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner and Executive Director of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Sandra Henriquez.
For details on the summit or to register, clink the link below. We hope to see you there.
2014 Women’s Policy Summit Program
UNPROCESSED RAPE KITS IN THE NEWS
The media plays a vital role in exposing the backlog of unprocessed rape kits. At present, Natasha’s Justice Project is working with several media outlets across the nation in order to get the word out and increase public awareness. We recently stopped by WUSA9 – CBS, Washington, DC. You can catch the interview below.
CHECK OUT IMAGES OF OUR 2ND ANNUAL DRIVE FOR JUSTICE GOLF OUTING!
2ND ANNUAL “Stand Up for Natasha’s Justice Project” COMEDY SHOW A RESOUNDING SUCESS!
Pete and Brooke Bergen, Natasha’s Justice Project Team Washington DC, produced another outstanding night of comedy on Saturday, October 26th at the Kay Spiritual Center on the campus of American University. Hosted by Chinese Menu Comedy and AU in Motion, the show featured a Bollywood dance performance by AU in Motion along with comedians Jessica Brodkin, Pete Bergen and headliner Danny Rouhier. The event raised just over $3,000, along with raising awareness of the backlog of unprocessed rape kits and the work Natasha’s Justice Project is doing to eliminate it through education, advocacy and funding. A special thank you goes out to our sponsors: Blue 44 Restaurant, Firelake Grill, Federal Lounge and Shenanigan’s Irish Pub. Natasha and Pete were interviewed by several local radio and TV news programs. Check out WAMU’s radio host Lauren Landau interview with Natasha Alexenko and Pete Bergen: WMAU Radio Interview
SERVICE WITH A PURPOSE!
It was truly an honor to meet the amazing Michigan State Police Team. Justice for 8,000 survivors of sexual assault whose rape kits have been untested in Detroit is becoming a reality thanks to the determination of these amazing people. We are rooting for you!
TEXAS GET 11 MILLION TO ELIMINATE THEIR RAPE KIT BACKLOG
We applaud Texas’ efforts to end their backlog. We hope other states will follow suit. Read our statement here HELP US RAISE MONEY TOWARDS ENDING THE BACKLOG OF UNPROCESSED RAPE KITS! We are introducing an exciting and simple way for you to get involved. By clicking on the We-Care logo and signing up, you will allow NJP to receive donations when you shop online at no cost to you. It takes less than a minute to set up, and then it keeps on giving. Backlog and NJP Featured in Newsday
NJP on Richard French Live We would like to thank Richard French and the entire Regional News Network Team for their outstanding coverage of the Rape Kit Backlog.
NJP & Alameda County team up to end the backlog
On Wednesday, March 27, 2013, Natasha’s Justice Project (NJP) and the Alameda County District Attorney’s office announced a partnership to resolve the rape kit backlog in that jurisdiction, focusing on testing ALL rape kits and not just those where the identity of the perpetrator is unknown. Read More…
Backlog Elimination Project As of February 28th, 2013, Natasha’s Justice Project received all application submissions from jurisdictions interested in the Backlog Elimination Project. NJP recognizes and appreciates the time and collaborative efforts which may have been required in order to successfully complete the Backlog Elimination Grant Application. The Backlog Project Committee has begun reviewing all applications. We are looking forward to the exciting process that lies ahead. Read more…