Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs historic legislation to end rape kit test backlog, combat sex crimes
Lavinia Masters was raped at knifepoint at her home when she was 13 years old. To make matters worse, her rape kit, an examination designed to catch her attacker, sat on the shelf untouched for more than 20 years, and by the time it was tested, the statute of limitations for the crime had expired.
But Masters, now a Lewisville grandmother, got a measure of justice Tuesday when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law legislation that aims to end the rape kit testing backlog.
The legislation, named after Masters, was one of five bills Abbott signed Tuesday in Dallas that combat human trafficking and sexual assaults. The signing of the bills was the culmination of a bipartisan effort that makes Texas a model for combating sexual assault.
"After I found out that my kit was on the shelf, I didn't think anything would happen," said Masters, who turned her frustration into strong advocacy for victims of sexual assault. "That's why I fought like I did. I didn't want it to be the end result for anybody else. ... I pretty much gave up mine, but I knew I had to do something about it because it was not fair for other victims to suffer like I did."
Read more: https://www.dallasnews.com/news/texas-legislature/2019/06/04/gov-greg-abbott-signs-historic-legislation-end-rape-kit-testing-backlog-combat-sex-crimes
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