A Victory for Truth And a Warning for Survivors
The recent Pennsylvania settlement with Leda Health, after the company falsely marketed self-administered sexual assault evidence kits as equivalent to hospital forensic exams, marks an important victory for survivors’ rights.
As someone who has dedicated my life to advocating for survivors of sexual violence, I welcome this outcome but it also raises serious concerns. These kits can give victims a false sense of security and, in some cases, compromise the very evidence needed to hold perpetrators accountable.
Survivors deserve empowerment and innovation, but they also deserve accuracy and justice. When companies misrepresent what these kits can do, they jeopardize both.
What Happened in Pennsylvania
In October 2025, Pennsylvania’s Attorney General announced a settlement with Leda Health over deceptive marketing of its self-administered sexual assault evidence kits.
The company claimed survivors could collect forensic evidence at home that would be admissible in court a statement that’s simply not true.
Under the settlement, Leda Health must now clearly disclose that these kits do not meet forensic standards recognized by hospitals or law enforcement and cannot replace a professional forensic exam.
This outcome reinforces what advocates like myself have long warned: there are no shortcuts to justice when it comes to forensic evidence.
Why At-Home Sexual Assault Kits Are Dangerous
1. Evidence Admissibility and Chain of Custody
The foundation of any sexual assault case is the forensic integrity of evidence. Hospital-based sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) follow strict chain-of-custody procedures documenting every step, storing evidence securely, and ensuring samples are handled by certified professionals.
At-home kits break this chain. Without official documentation or secure storage, that evidence is rarely, if ever, admissible in court. Survivors could lose the opportunity for criminal prosecution simply because the evidence doesn’t meet legal standards.
2. A False Sense of Security
These kits are often marketed as empowering but they can unintentionally cause harm. Survivors may believe they have “taken care of” the evidence, delaying critical medical attention and professional forensic care.
Time is essential in sexual assault response. The sooner a forensic exam is conducted, the more likely it is that DNA and injury documentation will be preserved.
Skipping the hospital also means missing out on medical treatment, STI prevention, and connection to an advocate who can provide emotional and legal support.
3. Missed Investigative Leads
Professional exams do far more than collect swabs. They capture injuries, clothing, toxicology, and digital evidence all of which can link cases and identify serial offenders through the national CODIS DNA database. CODIS is the only national database collecting and cross-referencing evidence to help solve cold cases and hold offenders accountable.
Self-administered kits don’t meet those standards, and the evidence typically never reaches CODIS, meaning potential repeat offenders go unidentified.
What Survivors in Pennsylvania Should Know
If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted, here are the key steps and rights you should know:
🔹 Forensic Exams Are Free in Pennsylvania
You do not have to pay for a sexual assault forensic exam, and you do not have to file a police report to get one. You can have the exam done and decide later whether to proceed with law enforcement.
🔹 Anonymous (Jane/John Doe) Kits Are an Option
Pennsylvania allows survivors to have a forensic exam collected and stored anonymously, so you can preserve evidence without immediately deciding to pursue charges. These kits are held securely until you are ready.
🔹 Preserve Everything
If you can, save your clothing (in paper bags), document injuries, and keep any messages or communications from the perpetrator. These can become essential pieces of evidence later in both criminal and civil cases.
🔹 Consult with an Experienced Attorney
Our legal team at Andreozzi + Foote has represented hundreds of survivors nationwide. We understand how critical forensic evidence is—and how to preserve your rights whether you choose criminal prosecution or a civil lawsuit. You do not have to navigate this system alone.
Why Preservation Matters
The United States continues to battle massive backlogs of untested sexual assault kits a crisis that denies justice to countless survivors. Once a kit is destroyed or lost, that evidence and the chance to prosecute is gone forever.
Survivors deserve transparency:
- Where is my kit stored?
- How long will it be preserved?
- Can I track its status?
Pennsylvania hospitals and crisis centers are required to follow state evidence-retention laws and provide survivors with information about their kits. Advocates can help you understand these policies and make informed decisions about reporting, storage, and prosecution.
Protecting Health and Justice
The Pennsylvania settlement against Leda Health is a step in the right direction but it’s also a wake-up call. Survivors’ trauma should never be monetized, minimized, or mishandled for profit.
Justice starts with truthful information, accurate evidence collection, and trauma-informed care. Survivors deserve nothing less.
If you have questions about your rights, forensic evidence preservation, or possible legal action, the attorneys at Andreozzi + Foote are here to help you explore your options safely and confidentially.
You are not alone.
You deserve justice.
And you deserve the truth.
Andreozzi + Foote
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