Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

[Chad Sniffen <>]

Hello SAPC group,

 

As many of you have probably seen on other email groups, there is a startup company out of New York that is marketing home-use forensic kits for rape survivors, and sending samples of those kits to Universities. Attached are statements of concern about these kits from CAPPA and the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, linked below is a statement from the Michigan AG’s office, and pasted below that is the text of a statement about these kits from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. I am wondering… have any of your campuses have received sample kits, and/or have you had any conversations about these kits on your campuses?

 

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ag/Notice_of_Intended_Action_to_MeToo_Kits_Company_08-29-19_664596_7.pdf

 

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The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) does not support the marketing and use of the at-home sexual assault evidence collection kit: http://www.metookit.com/.

 

Health care is essential for victims after a sexual assault.

 

In Pennsylvania, health care providers attend to the immediate safety and health care needs of victims following an assault. They conduct a forensic exam, collect evidence, and screen for and treat sexually transmitted infections and other possible injuries. When victims seek medical care following an assault, they are provided the support of a rape crisis center advocate. This advocate can support them during the forensic exam and long after, helping victims navigate their options and attend to their needs. At the hospital (or other health care facility), victims are provided the opportunity to report to law enforcement. They can either consent to have the evidence tested or to take time to make that decision later.

 

The Sexual Assault Testing and Evidence Collection Act dictates the specific requirements surrounding sexual assault evidence collection and testing in Pennsylvania. It is critical that evidence be collected, tested, and preserved in compliance with this law. In Pennsylvania, the kits used must meet the Department of Health’s minimum standard requirements. It is unclear if the MeToo kits would meet these standards. Furthermore, evidence must follow the chain of custody and be collected by law enforcement from health care facilities within 72 hours of being collected. Law enforcement must submit evidence to approved laboratories within 15 days, with the victim’s consent. Labs must be approved by the Department of Health, which are, the PA State Police and Allegheny and Philadelphia County labs. Finally, it is unclear whether or not evidence collected at home would be admissible to labs or to courts of law.

 

It is highly unlikely that an at-home kit collection would align with Pennsylvania’s legal requirements. Nor is an at-home kit considered best practice in caring for victims.

 

Therefore, PCAR does not support the marketing and use of this kit at this time.

 

 

Donna Greco, MSW

Policy Director

 

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
2101 N Front Street

Governor’s Plaza North, Bldg #2

Harrisburg, PA  17110
717.728.9740 x114
877-739-3895 x114 Toll Free 

Help• Hope • Healing

 

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Chad Sniffen
Outreach Manager
he/him/his

National Sexual Violence Resource Center 
 
Skype: chad.sniffen
www.nsvrc.org

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Attachment: CAPPA Position Statement on Me Too Kits.pdf
Description: CAPPA Position Statement on Me Too Kits.pdf

Attachment: August 2019 metookit Statement.pdf
Description: August 2019 metookit Statement.pdf