Congresswoman Ross Announces Over $2 Million in Federal Funding for NC Rape Kit Processing

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) $2,253,407 in federal funding for the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory to process rape kits and prevent any future backlogs. Since coming to Congress, Congresswoman Ross has consistently supported funding for survivors of sexual assault. She was the lead author of legislation that increased funding for and addressed the nationwide shortage of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

"Sexual assault survivors have endured unimaginable pain and trauma," said Congresswoman Ross. "At the very least, they deserve access to fair and swift justice. Under the leadership of Governor Stein and Attorney General Jackson, North Carolina has made tremendous progress to address our state's rape kit backlog that has left some survivors waiting years - or even decades - to see their day in court. I will continue fighting for federal funding and policies that will ensure all survivors can seek justice."

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Permalink: https://ross.house.gov/2026/4/congresswoman-ross-announces-over-2-million-in-federal-funding-for-nc-rape-kit-processing