Katie White founded Enough two years ago, distributing self-swabbing rape kits for people who believe they have been sexually assaulted.
The DIY kits allow users to collect DNA at home and send it to a private lab for analysis.
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White was responding to stark facts about sexual violence in England and Wales: of over 70,000 rapes reported to police in 2021-22, only 2,223 led to charges.
Moreover, 83% of survivors do not report to the police at all.
Sixteen- to 35-year-olds are the most common targets, and full-time students face higher rates of sexual assault than any other occupation.
White concluded that very few student rapists are brought to justice.
White says the kits give women an option to gather evidence at home before deciding whether to visit a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) or contact the police.
She reports positive reception when handing out kits on campuses.
However, victim support groups and rape charities have strongly criticized self-swabbing. They worry it may be seen as an alternative to SARCs, which offer counselling and other support.
The National Police Chiefs Council warned the kits could reduce trust in statutory services, and evidence collected outside regulated environments may not be admissible in court.
These criticisms are valid, but they ignore why survivors avoid official channels. Many see a gruelling process that dominates their lives with a minuscule chance of conviction.
