2019 Statement on At- Home Rape Kits

August 30, 2019

The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence opposes the use of at-home rape kits and is greatly
concerned about marketing them to the general public. Me Too Kit is a company that has claimed to
create the first at-home rape kit. Me Too Kit has started a waitlist for their kits on their website and
developed a pilot program for colleges and universities. We are outraged by this obvious attempt to
monetize the #MeToo movement, particularly in an irresponsible way that could have a disastrous
impact on survivors of sexual assault.
A forensic medical exam consists of forensic evidence collection, a full medical exam, STI and pregnancy
prevention options, STI treatment, and treatment for medical injuries. Access to a rape crisis center or
campus advocate is available when being examined in a hospital or medical center but is obviously not
included with the Me Too Kit.
A forensic exam following a rape requires a specially trained medical professional, often a sexual assault
nurse examiner or forensic examiner. An exam is necessary for rape victims who choose to have their
evidence collected and receive medical treatment. This kit obviously cannot provide needed medical
care and other services that are available when exams are performed in a hospital or medical center.
Forgoing these other much needed services, the focus of the kit seems to be largely placed on DNA
identification. When 8 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim, DNA
identification is by no means the only necessary part of a forensic exam.1
We do not advise anyone to use an at-home rape kit as a viable alternative to a forensic exam. We also
do not advise that any college or university encourage students to use this product or make it available
for use. Me Too Kit has provided no information to explain how these kits will be admissible in court
and how the proper chain of custody will be followed. Though Me Too Kit has stated that they have
consulted with prosecutors who approve of their kits, they have provided no names of individual
prosecutors or state and national prosecutor associations who have endorsed the product.
The Me Too Kits at-home rape kit has been denounced by sexual assault advocates across the country,
including being barred for sale in Michigan.2 This kit has also not been endorsed by any other national
sexual assault experts or advocacy organizations.

NAESV is the voice in Washington, DC for 56 state and territorial sexual assault coalitions and more than
1500 rape crisis centers.

Contact Terri Poore, Policy Director, terri@endsexualviolence.org

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1 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-
2016 (2017)

2 https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/08/29/metoo-kit-diy-rape-test-michigan-ag-dana-nessel-sexual-
assault/2152671001/

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