We are pleased to share that today, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has issued a clear national position warning against the use of self‑swab rape kits. This is a significant moment for survivors, for justice, and for everyone working in the sexual violence sector.
This announcement follows sustained campaigning by Rape Crisis and First Light to ensure that victims/survivors receive accurate advice about the support available to them, and are aware of the risks posed by unregulated home rape kits.
Working with Chief Constable Sarah Crew (NPCC Lead for Adult Sexual Offences) and the National Centre for Violence Against Women & Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP), the NPCC has concluded that forensic evidence gathered in uncontrolled, non‑clinical environments, without proper continuity or oversight, is at high risk of being challenged in court and may ultimately be unusable.
As CC Crew states, self‑swabbing “places an unfair burden on victims at a moment of crisis and risks both their wellbeing and the integrity of any investigation.”
This national position now aligns with the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine, NHS England, the Association of Forensic Science Providers, and Rape Crisis England & Wales, a united stance across medicine, forensics, policing, and specialist support services.
Since we first raised concerns last November, the situation has only become more serious. We are aware of a survivor’s kit going missing in the post, and most distressingly, a case involving a child being dropped following the use of such a kit.
The safest and most effective route for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted remains their local Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
SARCs provide specialist forensic care, medical support, counselling and safeguarding, available with or without police involvement.
Find your nearest SARC:
England: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health-services/find-a-rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centre
Scotland: https://www.nhsinform.scot/turn-to-sarcs (or call free: 0800 148 88 88)
Wales: https://performanceandimprovement.nhs.wales/functions/networks-and-planning/wsas/access-a-sarc/
Northern Ireland: https://therowan.hscni.net/
Read the full NPCC statement:
Read the First Light response:
Read the Rape Crisis England & Wales response:
https://rapecrisis.org.uk/news/rcews-updated-statement-on-self-swab-rape-kits/
