Rape Kit Shortage

Imagine reporting a case of rape to your nearest police station – you will be directed not to wash your body until evidence such as blood, sweat, hairs and semen can be collected with a rape kit. The quality of evidence can be the difference between justice and a rapist getting away with it. Despite staggering annual statistics on rape and sexual assault, it has become increasingly difficult for the dedicated officers of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations Unit to access evidence collection kits. Carte Blanche investigates why 80% of police stations in the country have no rape kits available.