Attorney General warns victims against “at home” sexual assault kits

Attorney General Mike Hunter

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is sending cease-and-desist letters to two companies that are marketing do-it-yourself sexual assault kits victims can use to gather evidence at home.

Flanked by a rape survivor and a Tulsa sexual assault detective, Hunter issued a consumer warning on Thursday and urged Oklahomans not to use the products, saying they have “no value whatsoever.” He says he fears the products could discourage victims from coming forward.

New Jersey-based The Preserve Group, LLC, and New York’s MeToo Kits Company both promote their at-home evidence kits toward victims of sexual assault who don’t immediately report the incident to law enforcement.

Retired FBI Special Agent Jane Mason with The Preserve Group said in a statement Friday its goal is to help sexual assault survivors who don’t come forward.