The New York-based startup company, Me Too Kit, is getting criticized by federal and state officials and anti-sexual assault groups for selling the first-ever “sexual assault evidence kit for at-home use."
Designed as a do-it-yourself rape kit, the company claims their product allows “privacy, security and affordability.” Concerns with the product are widespread, and even the kit website itself says they cannot guarantee the evidence will be admissible in court.
Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger believes even promoting such kits “misleads victims into delaying or forgoing a forensic exam, which is necessary for ensuring proper evidence collection and prompt treatment of a victim’s injuries and other post-assault concerns.”
At-home kits are “completely and totally irresponsible...Among other issues, the kits do not protect chain of custody and evidence integrity, do not include evidence testing, and do not address victim privacy."
-Lisae C. Jordan, Executive Director of MCASA
As a part of their launch, Me Too Kit is targeting colleges and universities across the country to sell their kits. MCASA and Shellenberger are reaching out to colleges advising them not to use the at-home kits and instead, and encouraging students to report to the hospital and law enforcement after a sexual assault.
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