NY AG orders cease and desist to companies that make "at home sex assault" evidence kits
ALBANY, NY (WRGB) Attorney General Letitia James has ordered two companies that sell an "at home sexual assault evidence kits" to immediately stop operations.
The MeTooKits Company and the Preserve Group are labeled in the cease and desist order.
The Attorney General says that these kits raise concerns that many victims may not seek necessary medical attention and imply that they are legally sound. AG James stresses that New York State provides sexual assault exams and evidence collection at no charge to survivors and states that it is misleading for a company to make a profit off these kits.
There are also legal hurdles as evidence collected by means of these kits may not be admissible as evidence in court, she says.
“Sexual assault is a real problem that demands a real response,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “Proper medical attention and accurate evidence collection are of critical importance to supporting survivors. I am deeply concerned about companies selling kits that deter individuals from seeking professional care and purport to collect evidence without knowing whether the evidence will be admissible in court. We must ensure that all survivors of sexual assault are not misled and that justice is served.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you may seek support and information about access to free sexual assault examinations and evidence collection kits from the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault by visiting http://nyscasa.org/get-help/ or calling 1-800-942-6906.
