"I Am Evidence" (2017 release; 89 min.) is a documentary about the hundreds of thousands untested rape kits lying around this country, and the devastating consequences of that. As the movie opens, we are reminded that "every 2 minutes, someone in the US is sexually assaulted". We then are introduced to Kym Worthy, a prosecutor in Wayne County, MI (covering Detroit). She explains to actress/activist (and executive producer of this film) Mariska Hargitay that she discovered 11,000+ untested rape kits , left in an abandoned warehouse and going back years and years. Worthy vows to test them all. After that, we are introduced to several women who tell their story or rape and why it is their rape test kit remains untested...
Couple of comments: this documentary is co-directed by Trish Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir, well-known and respected documentarians. Here they shine the spotlight on an inexcusable collective failing of this country: why are hundreds of thousands of rape test kits not being tested? There is simply no word for it. Comments one: "A nation is negligent", and that's frankly taking a generous views. So many women come forward to report a rape, and far too often they never hear anything more from the police or anyone else. The documentary looks at the situation in Detroit, Cleveland, LA and other cities in between. To be honest, the first hour of the documentary is very bleak. Thankfully a ray of hope comes forward in the last half hour, but still, much much more needs to be done to address this shameful situation.
Given the current political landscape, I don't think we can expect anything from Washington to improve this situation, so it's up to state and local governments to do something about it. This documentary is an eye opener on so many levels, it should be required viewing across this country. I recently caught it on HBO On Demand, and I would encourage you to see it out, be it on Amazon Instant Video or on other platforms. "I Am Evidence" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
