Goldey-Beacom College would like to alert the College Community to the recent appearance of “at-home” sexual assault kits available for purchase from private companies. In Delaware, sexual assault kits are free and should be prepared by a trained, professional Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Delaware State Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued a statement expressing her skepticism and concern for these companies and the impact they may have in investigations.

While it is understandable for survivors to want more agency and control over this process, an “at-home” sexual assault kit could sacrifice the integrity of the evidence as well as any subsequent investigations into the incident. As AG Jennings said in her statement, “Evidence collection is too important to that [judicial] process to be used as a business opportunity.”

If you have any questions regarding accessing rape kits, contact a Title IX Coordinator.

Support services are available to members of the GBC Community who have been victimized by sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and/or stalking. Community members are encouraged to access these sources when needed by contacting a Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator@gbc.edu.