It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of rape kits, a collection of DNA evidence removed from a sexual assault victim, go untested in police departments and crime storage lab facilities across the country. A new documentary produced by Mariska Hargitay, I Am Evidence, tells the story of four survivors whose rape kits went untested for years. Today, I’m sitting down with co-directors Trish Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir. In this episode, Trish and Geeta share how they came together with Mariska to work on this incredible project, how the system has impeded justice and also failed the victims, and the incredible opportunities for healing when these rape kits are processed.
Trish and Geeta are individually acclaimed with many achievements. Trish brings more than 20 years’ experience in narrative filmmaking. Following her Oscar nomination for Gasland, a documentary on the environmental devastation of fracking, she went on to produce Gasland Part 2, which was also nominated for an Emmy. Geeta most recently co-directed A Journey of A Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers, a film that follows a unit of all female Muslim police officers that are sent to Haiti as peacekeepers for a year. She has won two Emmys and has been nominated for a third.
How they became Involved in the I Am Evidence Film
Trish and Geeta each have backgrounds of involvement in social justice issues, especially those around fracking and women’s issues. They met and teamed up with Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: SVU and The Joyful Heart Foundation, and have been involved with Spike Lee in the making of his films. As women who want to make a difference, they are happy to take the lead on these issues and face the funding challenges of finding contributors. They were happy to partner with HBO as a home for the film.
Why this story HAD to be told
Telling the stories of unreported and unprosecuted rapes with impactful facts and horrible statistics puts women’s voices at the forefront of the problem. It is important to hear the narrative from those who are “the survivors.” These women need a platform and the movie is victim-centered because they have been impacted the most; they are the survivors who have been neglected. The movie does more than just tell their stories; it gives dignity to their narratives and showcases what they have become – much more than just survivors.
A National Issue with Different Stages of Progress
For the movie, the cities of Cleveland, Detroit, and Los Angeles were chosen to highlight the problem and the survivors. The movie shows the serial nature of this violence and looks at how law enforcement in these three cities have confronted the issue. For the most part, violence against women is NOT a priority in the US – the goal is to change that! Culturally and historically, women were not believed when they reported horrific violence. Funding is needed for the prosecution of cold cases in order to prevent the backlog of rape kits and the re-victimization of women. Race and class shouldn’t play a role in the attention these cases receive. One important recommendation that Trish and Geeta advocate for is more training for doctors, nurses, and all emergency room personnel in hospitals across the country.
A Better Tracking System?
Did you know that rape kits not only sit in police evidence without being tested, but some are also being destroyed? This happens because of the statute of limitations that used to apply to these cases. Fortunately, the law has changed and this statute of limitations no longer applies, but the level of destruction of evidence that has taken place should be alarming to all of us. There should be penalties in place for the destruction of evidence and better tracking systems to keep up with these kits. We can track packages that we send through the mail, so why can’t we track these rape kits?
Healing and Transformation
Getting women to come forward and tell their stories was no easy feat. Through Mariska’s foundation, The Joyful Heart Foundation, these women can find therapeutic care, retreats, programs, and meditation. These victims should be treated holistically, with regard for their health and well being in every area of life. They have been neglected and mistreated, and we should all be shocked that our system can fail a group of women so miserably. Being supportive around the issue can help combat the stigma that they feel. It is inspiring to see how these women can feel heard and are part of a community of support when they open up and share their stories.
What can be done?
We can improve the rape kit process and give dignity to the women who report these horrific crimes. We need to have nurses trained and experienced in treating trauma handling the process. They will be able to treat survivors with empathy, dignity, and respect. It will take education, improved protocols, and protective laws in order to bring about change. The good news is that improvement IS happening!
Episode Highlights:
- 5:14 – Running and funding an all-woman show
- 11:07 – The film, which tells women’s stories about reporting rape
- 14:26 – Behind the scenes with the creative process
- 16:28 – Why the three cities were chosen to be highlighted
- 20:39 – How these crimes “fall through the cracks”
- 24:53 – How rape kits are used by trained nurses
- 27:13 – Discriminating care and destroyed rape kits
- 30:39 – Everything is tracked today, so why can’t we use updated storage techniques?
- 33:30 – Getting the women to come forward and share their stories
- 38:58 – Modeling holistic care for victims
- 45:59 – The rape kit process and how it can be improved
- 49:32 – The role of anger and outrage as a catalyst for change
Resources Mentioned:
- www.iamevidencethemovie.com
- www.endthebacklog.org
- Geeta on Twitter: @GeetaGandbhir
- The Joyful Heart Foundation
The Fem Five:
1. Favorite book for women?
- Geeta: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Trish: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- Geeta: Picking a day to sleep in as long as possible
- Trish: Allowing myself a cup of coffee every morning
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- Geeta: From a dear friend, “Toughen up.”
- Trish: “Never let your emotions get in the way of making good decisions. Take a purposeful pause.” From Dr. Wayne Dyer in The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-Create Your World Your Way
4. Female thought leader of CEO you’re in to right now?
- Geeta: Senator Kamala Harris
- Trish: Jennifer Buffett at the NoVo Foundation
5. One piece of advice you’d give your five years younger self?
- Geeta: “Slow down. Don’t be so worried about what’s next. Stay present.”
- Trish: “Try to get more sleep and put yourself with those who want to celebrate and support you.”
Last Time on The NextFem Podcast
The Power of Purposeful Disruption – with Lisa Hendrickson
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