Katie White founded Enough, a company offering rape testing kits that allow survivors to collect DNA evidence at home. These self-swabbing kits are designed for people who have been sexually assaulted and want to gather proof before contacting the police or visiting a referral centre. White launched the service to address low conviction rates. Data shows that only 2,223 of the more than 70,000 reported rapes in 2021-22 led to charges.
Low conviction rates drive demand for such tools. Survivors often seek evidence collection options because the formal process can feel punishing.
The majority of victims fall between the ages of 16 and 35. Crime survey data highlights full-time students as the most likely group to experience an assault annually. White argues that the actual number of perpetrators in this demographic exceeds the accountability of the current justice system.
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The Institutional Response Victim Support
Victim Support and various rape charities have issued strong warnings against using the kits. The group fears survivors might mistake the home testing option for a replacement for sexual assault referral centres. These centres provide essential support, such as counselling. The National Police Chiefs Council expressed concern that the kits could reduce trust in statutory services. Evidence gathered outside regulated environments may not be admissible in court.
Martin Narey, a former prison chief, reported the company to the Advertising Standards Authority. He objected to the claim that 430,000 rapes happen a year, calling it scaremongering. The authority ruled against Enough. It decided that their methodology for estimating total unreported assaults was flawed.
Why the Kits Exist
It is difficult to condemn a business that provides an option for those who mistrust the police. The legal process often feels more like a punishment for the victim than prosecution for the perpetrator. Survivors frequently avoid formal channels due to the gruelling demands of the investigation. This hesitation stems from a deep-seated lack of faith in the state’s ability to deliver justice.
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The ONS estimates that nearly 900,000 sexual assaults and attempted assaults occurred in the year to March 2025. While these figures are stark, critics often overlook systemic inefficiencies that prevent cases from being resolved. The gap between reported crimes and actual occurrences forces survivors to find unconventional ways to protect themselves. This reality is inevitable.
A startup trying to find a workaround is a signifier of the problem, not a problem in itself. Despite official “zero tolerance” policies, hundreds of thousands of assaults remain unaddressed by the formal justice system. The kits exist because the legal framework failed to adapt to the reality of sexual violence.
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