Adverts for DNA self-swab kits banned as misleading
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned adverts for DNA self-swab kits issued by Enough, citing misleading claims about their effectiveness in court. Complaints highlighted that the adverts exaggerated the likelihood of rape and the admissibility of evidence from the kits. Enough has stated it respects the ruling and will update its messaging accordingly.
- ▪The ASA ruled that Enough's adverts made unproven claims about the use of their DNA kits in court.
- ▪Sir Martin Narey, who filed the complaint, expressed concern that the adverts frightened young women and their parents.
- ▪The ASA found that Enough's claims about the number of rapes in the UK were misleading and lacked evidence.
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Adverts for DNA self-swab kits banned as misleadingJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleFrancesca OsborneBBC West InvestigationsBBCThis kit contains a swab, a vial of water, a plastic tube and instructions A company issuing self-swab DNA testing kits to sexual assault victims has had online posts banned for containing misleading information. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Enough's website, LinkedIn post and GoFundMe page made unproven claims about how evidence from their kits could be used in court and how many women were raped in the UK each year.Sir Martin Narey, the former head of the Prison and Probation Services in England and Wales who brought the complaint about the adverts, said: "I thought they were frightening young women and terrifying their parents…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at BBC News — UK.
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