TULSA, OKLA (KTUL) — On Monday, Tulsa officials announced a $2.5 million grant from the National Sexual Kit Initiative.

This grant to the Tulsa Police Department will benefit the investigation of unsolved sexual assault cases.

“This critical funding allows victims of sexual assault to obtain long-awaited justice,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “I hope this grant will allow the Tulsa Police Department to reopen cold cases and help survivors of sexual assault move toward closure.”

According to the National Sexual Kit Initiative, people who have committed multiple violent sexual assaults are linked to unsubmitted kits and other violent offenses.

“Even with the progress the Tulsa Police Department has made in recent years in addressing cold cases and untested rape kits, there is still work to be done as we seek to do right by our neighbors and for the victims of these senseless crimes.” said Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols.

“This $2.5 million grant from the Department of Justice is a critical step in our commitment to justice for survivors of sexual assault,” said Chief Dennis Larsen. “This will allow us to process backlogged kits, potentially resolve cold cases, and bring closure to victims who have waited far too long for answers.”

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL 8 NEWSLETTER