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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics

DIY swabs put justice at risk for survivors of rape

Young woman sitting alone in a dark room
‘DIY rape kits risk all we are working for to improve outcomes for victims and complainants of rape.’ Photograph: Alamy

I was concerned to read Zoe Williams’ article (DIY rape kits at universities are a welcome sea change – but they can only offer a hologram of justice, 13 January). Self-swabbing does not provide protection for rape, nor even a “hologram of justice”. Any DNA collected by self-swabbing is likely to be worthless to the criminal justice system, because the collection methods cannot be independently verified. Self-swabbing will damage the chances the criminal justice system has for bringing sexual predators to justice.

In England and Wales, we have independent, expert clinicians who care for rape victims and complainants in sexual assault referral centres (Sarcs) that take a holistic approach. They support, conduct sensitive examinations, and safely and reliably collect forensic samples, which are kept for at least two years and can be checked against the police national database.

Equally important is that Sarcs treat and record injuries, provide emergency medical treatment and advice, and can refer for ongoing treatment or counselling. This is provided free of charge by highly trained professionals. A DIY swab cannot compete with a Sarc.

DIY “rape kits” risk all we are working for to improve outcomes for victims and complainants of rape. Victims and complainants should know that they are better served by the care at Sarcs and by the collection and storage of forensic evidence in an accredited process. They should not be misled into thinking that self-swabbing gives them any form of protection or provides reliable evidence to bring perpetrators to justice. Bringing rapists to justice through our criminal justice system is the only way to punish, deter and protect citizens. DIY rape kits will only damage that process.
Tana Adkin KC
Legal representative for the forensic science committee for the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians

• Leaving aside the effectiveness of DIY “rape kits”, using a student resolution procedure to sexual assaults is a misconceived approach. This places responsibility on the victim – and Zoe Williams’ article makes clear the disincentives to victims coming forward. A more effective approach is to concentrate on potential perpetrators: overwhelmingly (though not only) young men.

My experience, as a police officer investigating sexual offences, then as an independent provider of consent training for schools, is that few sexual assault perpetrators feel empathy for their victims. Approaches appealing to empathy do not hit home. More effective is to spell out the impact that a rape or sexual assault accusation will have on the suspect’s own life, even if they are found not guilty or the case never reaches court. This never fails to focus minds, particularly of male students.
Dorothea Scales
Esh Winning, County Durham

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