New Program Delivers Private, At-Home STI Testing to Sexual Assault Survivors

SAN JOSE, CA – May 12, 2026 – A new national initiative is set to revolutionize how survivors of sexual assault access critical healthcare, offering a private, rapid, and lab-accurate option for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing that can be done entirely at home. Diagnostics innovator Visby Medical has partnered with RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, to launch the Safe Access Program, a groundbreaking effort designed to remove the significant barriers that prevent many survivors from seeking timely care.

The program provides survivors with Visby Medical’s unique, instrument-free PCR test, which delivers results for the three most common curable STIs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis—in under 30 minutes. This initiative directly addresses the fear, privacy concerns, and logistical hurdles that often accompany a traditional clinic visit, empowering survivors to take control of their health with dignity and confidentiality.

Addressing a Critical Healthcare Gap

Every year, more than 443,000 Americans over the age of 12 experience sexual violence, a traumatic event that carries a significant risk of STI transmission. For these survivors, the path to diagnosis and treatment is often fraught with obstacles. Beyond the profound emotional and psychological trauma, systemic barriers frequently deter them from seeking care.

"For many survivors, accessing care isn’t just a logistical challenge — it’s an emotional one,” said Megan Cutter, RAINN’s Chief of Victim Services, in a statement. “Returning to a clinical setting after experiencing sexual violence isn’t always possible."

This reluctance is compounded by fears of being disbelieved, discomfort in recounting their experience, and the potential for re-traumatization in a clinical environment. For those in rural and underserved communities, the challenges are even greater. A lack of specialized healthcare providers, transportation difficulties, and the absence of anonymity in small towns can make accessing services nearly impossible.

The consequences of delayed or forgone testing can be severe. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea, for instance, are estimated to cause infertility in 100,000 women across the United States annually. The Safe Access Program aims to mitigate these risks by placing a powerful diagnostic tool directly into the hands of those who need it most, bypassing the traditional healthcare system's most daunting barriers.

How the Technology Empowers Survivors

At the heart of the Safe Access Program is Visby Medical’s innovative diagnostic technology. The company has developed the world's first instrument-free, single-use PCR test that fits in the palm of your hand. PCR, or Polymerase Chain Reaction, is the gold standard for infectious disease testing, known for its high level of accuracy. Visby’s device brings this lab-quality precision out of the clinic and into the home, delivering results with over 98% accuracy in just 30 minutes.

“We built a test as accurate as those in clinical settings, but gives someone an answer in 30 minutes and connects them to treatment if they need it," explained Adam de la Zerda, Founder and CEO of Visby Medical. "No clinic, no waiting room, no explanation to anyone. Survivors of sexual assault shouldn’t have to choose between their privacy and their health."

The process is designed for simplicity and confidentiality. Through RAINN's network, survivors receive the test kit discreetly. At home, they can perform the test and receive a clear result within half an hour. For those who test positive, the program provides an immediate and crucial next step: a complimentary, private consultation with a third-party licensed telehealth provider. This virtual visit allows the survivor to receive a diagnosis and, when clinically appropriate, a prescription for treatment without ever leaving their home.

Navigating Implementation and Ethical Considerations

While the program offers a transformative approach, its implementation requires careful navigation of complex ethical and practical landscapes. The primary goal is to empower survivors, and this principle guides the program's design. A critical distinction is made clear to participants: the Visby test is for personal health and medical treatment, not for medico-legal purposes or forensic evidence collection. Survivors who may wish to pursue legal action are still guided toward receiving a formal Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) at a designated facility.

Privacy is the cornerstone of the initiative. By decentralizing testing, the program minimizes the number of people a survivor must interact with and disclose their experience to. The integrated telehealth component operates under strict HIPAA compliance, ensuring all consultations and medical records remain confidential.

RAINN's extensive network of local sexual assault service providers is vital to the program's execution. These trusted partners are responsible for distributing the kits and providing the essential, trauma-informed emotional support that an at-home test cannot offer on its own. This hybrid model combines the privacy of at-home technology with the human-centric support of established advocacy organizations.

A Scalable Model for Social Impact

The Safe Access Program is launching with an initial distribution of 1,000 test kits across 20 of RAINN’s partner programs nationwide. The rollout strategically focuses on rural and underserved communities, where the need for alternative healthcare access is most acute. This targeted approach aims to reach survivors who face the most significant geographical and social barriers to care.

This public-private partnership serves as a potential blueprint for how corporate innovation can be leveraged to address pressing social issues. By combining Visby Medical’s cutting-edge technology with RAINN’s deep expertise and trusted network, the program creates a scalable solution to a long-standing public health challenge.

Organizers are clear that this first phase is just the beginning. "One thousand tests is where we’re starting — not where we’re stopping," de la Zerda stated, issuing a call to action for other organizations, foundations, and advocates to join the effort. The success and expansion of the Safe Access Program will depend on securing further partnerships and funding to scale its reach, with the ultimate goal of ensuring no survivor has to compromise their health for the sake of their privacy.