A company in the UK offering rape testing kits faces widespread criticism – but shouldn’t we ask why it exists at all? | Zoe Williams
Sexual violence is hugely under-reported and cases rarely make it to court. These are the facts that should shock us Two years ago, Katie White
Sexual violence is hugely under-reported and cases rarely make it to court. These are the facts that should shock us Two years ago, Katie White set up Enough, which distributes self-swabbing rape kits. These are DIY kits that people who believe they have been raped or sexually assaulted can use at home by collecting DNA and posting it to a private laboratory for analysis.
White was responding to a few stark facts about sexual violence in England and Wales: of more than 70,000 rapes reported to police in 2021-22, only 2,223 resulted in charges. The number of reports was only a fraction of rapes anyway: 83% of survivors choose not to go to the police. Zoe Williams is a Guardian columnist Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations.
In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, or 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article?
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