Well-Woman Health Promotion Program

Dear Barnard Community:

In recent weeks, you may have heard about a number of companies advertising "at home evidence collection kits." These kits have been marketed to colleges and universities as well as individual consumers as an alternative to standard hospital forensic exams for survivors of sexual violence. As healthcare professionals and sexual violence educators, we cannot, in good conscience, endorse these products.

We have grave concerns over the high potential for harm and re-traumatization that these kits pose.

• As they currently exist, there is a high likelihood that the kits will not be admissible evidence in legal proceedings.

• The companies have not made clear what happens to a survivor’s personal information once it is submitted.  

• These companies are charging survivors for the kits whereas hospital forensic exams are provided free for survivors who wish to have them done.

We urge survivors of sexual violence who wish to have evidence collected to seek out professional medical attention and support services.

• Advocates at Sexual Violence Response (SVR) are available to help you navigate the process and accompany you to the ER. Their helpline – 212.854.HELP(4357) – is available 24/7.

• Mt. Sinai-St.Lukes is the closest emergency room with a dedicated medical team for survivors of sexual violence. Trained, trauma-informed professionals can walk you through the evidence collection process, follow the proper protocols including following the chain of custody required for legal evidence, as well as provide any necessary testing and preventative medication.

• Primary Care Health Service can assist you with a medical evaluation, testing,  and/or referral to an appropriate resource

• Furman Counseling Center can provide counseling support, often so crucial after experiencing trauma

• Title IX support, which can enable you to access accommodations which many survivors find helpful in the aftermath of trauma. Additionally, Title IX can assist you if you choose to file a report.

• Additional information about the evidence collection process can be found on the Title IX website.

While every survivor’s path to healing is different and we encourage each individual to make the choices that feel best and safest to them, we also feel it is our duty to inform our campus community of the potential harm of these at-home kits so that individuals are informed and aware.

Sincerely,

MJ Murphy - Executive Director of Student Health & Wellness Services
Marjorie Seidenfeld - Medical Director
Jessica Cannon - Director of Health Promotion & Education
Cristen Kennedy - Program Coordinator of Prevention Education

If you are a survivor of sexual or relationship violence or you are caring for a survivor and you need support, please reach out to the following confidential resources: 

Sexual Violence Response
Barnard: 105 Hewitt Hall
Morningside: 700 Lerner Hall
24/7 Helpline: 212.854.HELP (4357) 

Being Barnard
122 Reid Hall
212.853.0145

Furman Counseling
100 Hewitt Hall
212.854.2092

Primary Care Health Service
Lower Level Brooks Hall
212.854.2091

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​To date, a number of survivor support agencies, colleges and universities, medical institutions, and government entities have released statements regarding these kits such as the Campus Advocacy& Prevention Professionals Association, International Association of Forensic Nurses, New York Attorney General, and many more. You can read their statements below:

Campus Advocacy & Prevention Professionals Association:
http://www.nationalcappa.org/me-too-kits

International Association of Forensic Nurses: 
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.forensicnurses.org/resource/resmgr/docs/Responding_to_Victim_Adminis.pdf

University of Utah SAAVI Program:
http://www.usu.edu/today/?id=58594

New York AG Office: 
https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2019/attorney-general-james-orders-sexual-assault-evidence-kit-companies-cease-and

Virginia AG Office:   
https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/1525-september-10-2019-herring-issues-warning-about-self-administered-sexual-assault-evidence-kits

North Carolina AG Office:
https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-josh-stein-me-too-at-home-sexual-assault-kits-are-dangerous-and-misleading/

Michigan AG:
https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-92297_47203-506020--,00.html