King’s College London Students’ Union (KCLSU) has warned student groups that they must not enter into partnerships or collaborations with Enough, an organisation promoting self-swab rape test kits.
In an email sent to student leaders on 12 October, KCLSU said that neither it nor ratified student groups may enter into new partnerships with Enough while its decision is in place. Those groups with an existing relationship with Enough were asked to contact KCLSU “before making further commitments”.
Enough, which is registered as a community interest company, has recently increased its presence on King’s campuses, running regular stalls outside Bush House to promote their “social movement to prevent rape”. The organisation offers free self-swab kits which are posted back and analysed in a forensics lab within 48 hours.
But the kits have come under fire from some organisations who argue that they discourage clinical evidence collection – often necessary for successful prosecutions. Enough acknowledges that the kits have not been used in a court case to date.
‘Deterrent’ against perpetrators
Founded in Bristol in 2024, Enough has recruited a network of volunteers to promote its DNA self-swab kits – presented as an “alternative” for rape survivors who are reluctant to report to the police and as a “deterrent” against potential perpetrators.
However, the kits have been the subject of criticism from bodies across the sector, with the NHS, Rape Crisis and the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) – an expert body of forensic medical practitioners – warning against their use.
In apparent reference to Enough, Dr Alex Gorton, president of FFLM wrote to all student unions in September that “these kits are not the answer” and disputed their claim that the kits had been designed “with help from the UK’s top forensic experts, including the FFLM”.
He said the “overwhelming opposition from those representing survivors, clinicians, police and legal experts should have prompted a rethink of their rollout”. He added, “Sadly, that does not appear to be happening.”
The letter continued that it was “vital that students who have experienced sexual assault are guided towards the specialist support offered by Sexual Assault Referral Centres [SARCs], where they can receive the right care with holistic wraparound support.”
In response to the FFLM’s letter, Enough said there has been “significant misinformation” regarding their kits and that they are always “option 3” after the police and sexual assault referral centres (SARCs). They disputed the statements shared by the FFLM and Rape Crisis.
Earlier guidance
Enough asserts the DNA sample collected “in principle can be admissible and stored for 20 years” and that police forces have been instructed to accept it as evidence where possible.
However, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) has said that this “should not be interpreted as a view on its [the kits’] evidential value”. In a published statement, it also warned victims of rape against the use of self-swabbing kits.
In a statement to Roar written before KCLSU’s decision on collaborations involving Enough, a spokesperson for the FFLM criticised KCLSU for appearing “to have given the views of one organisation’s parity with the overwhelming opposition of those working in the field of sexual violence.”
The statement continued, “We have received numerous messages which appear to be an attempt to intimidate charitable organisations into feeling unable to raise legitimate concerns about the lack of support available to vulnerable individuals”, though it was unclear if this was in reference to Enough or other organisations.
Enough maintains that their kits are “legal and safe” and that “everyone has the legal right to collect DNA from their own body, and the [KCL] SU has no right to be trying to stop that.”
‘Not appropriate at present’ – KCLSU
Asked why KCLSU had revised its advice to student groups, a spokesperson said restricting partnerships was “a significant step” and that the union “needed to consider Enough’s responses and the wider information available before reaching its position”, which they said was approved on 7 October.
The spokesperson also said, “Our assessment included safeguarding and student welfare considerations concerning self-swab kits, information about their evidential value and potential effects on subsequent forensic examinations.
“We recognise that Enough’s campaigning extends beyond the kits, but also considered whether collaboration could imply endorsement of its wider services. We concluded that partnerships and collaborations were not appropriate at present.”
‘Incredibly disappointed’ – Enough
Katie White, co-founder of Enough, told Roar:
“We are incredibly disappointed, on behalf of students and societies at KCL, that the SU has decided to stop student groups partnering with our campaign. Shockingly and confusingly, this decision was reached without even meeting us, or hearing from [Enough] student ambassadors.
“The SU’s concern relates [to] our DNA kit. Enough’s kit is entirely legal and safe, with police using the evidence wherever it is available. Everyone has the legal right to collect DNA from their own body, and the SU has no right to be trying to stop that.
“Enough is not only, or even primarily about DNA kits, we are a social movement changing rape culture on university campuses, bringing young men in particular into the conversation and solution. The decision made by the SU will limit these groups in speaking up and creating cultural change and prevention.”
Enough told Roar that some sports societies were against the decision, but did not immediately provide specific examples that could be independently verified.
A spokesperson for KCLSU said:
“We recognise that groups involved with Enough share our commitment to tackling sexual violence. We will approach these conversations sensitively and support groups to continue that work.
“The restriction does not extend to students’ lawful campaigning in their personal capacity. Visiting speaker requests remain subject to individual assessment under the applicable procedure. Approval of a speaker request does not, by itself, authorise a partnership or wider collaboration.”
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