A Bristol not-for-profit trying to end sexual violence and rape is providing universities in Bristol with thousands of self-testing DNA kits. Enough, which was launched in Bristol just over a month ago, previously distributed some 5,000 kits to University of Bristol students.
And this week another 5,000 kits will be provided to UWE students, after they requested the not-for-profit on their campus. In the past month, Enough has received reports from more than 40 survivors and amassed a viral social media following, with content surpassing one million views.
Hundreds of students have accessed Enough’s digital mental health recovery resources, and more than 50 are currently making use of the peer-to-peer online survivor community. There are at least 20 safe spaces – bars, pubs and cafes – across the city where anyone can ask for a ‘hot orange’ and get a free kit.
Bristol’s university students have started to give their feedback on the scheme. One said: “The presence of Enough on campus has started important conversations that were previously silenced.”
A second commented: “It’s the first time that I feel reassured about this topic at university.” While a third said: “I’m so glad that this finally exists, although it really shouldn’t have to,” and a fourth commented: “I wish that Enough had existed six years ago.
“This would have helped me on the days where things felt unbelievable and overwhelming and I just needed that validation.”
Enough’s figures show that 83 per cent of female survivors, and 90 per cent of student survivors, do not want to officially report rape. Those behind the scheme say that this ‘creates a cycle of unsupported survivors, and undeterred perpetrators’.
Enough aims to give survivors the option to self-test simply and discreetly, write a time-stamped testimony of what happened, and access free and effective recovery tools in the privacy of their own home. The presence of the kit creates a deterrent, telling perpetrators there are consequences for sex without consent.
Alison Hernandez, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said: “Radical ideas are welcome to combat rape. Too many victims do not come forward and are often suffering alone.
“They may feel ashamed, embarrassed or in some way think it was their own fault. It never is. Consent takes two…. I’m keen to see the evaluation when completed to see if it can be rolled out across the country.”
Enough describes itself as not an alternative to the police, actively encouraging anyone considering reporting to go there first. Enough is ‘an alternative to inaction’ and is in conversation with university wellbeing teams about subsequent launches.
Those who wish to discuss this more, can email the team at [email protected].