Warning over self-swab ‘rape kits' marketed to university students
Self-swab 'rape kits' are being marketed to university students in the UK, allowing individuals to collect and store DNA evidence of an alleged perpetrator.
Rape Crisis England and Wales, along with forensic experts, have expressed serious concerns that evidence collected by these kits may not be legally admissible due to contamination risks and lack of comprehensive forensic examination.
Critics warn that the kits could give survivors 'false hope' regarding legal outcomes, as professional forensic examinations are conducted in controlled environments and include broader evidence collection.
Companies selling the kits, such as 'Enough', claim they act as a deterrent to sexual violence and offer a simpler reporting method, with some students reporting positive perceptions.
Beyond legal admissibility, concerns also include the kits' inability to provide the crucial trauma-informed, in-person support that survivors need, which is offered by specialist support services.
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