Free 'Prenatal DNA Testing' Service for Victims of Sexual Violence

To fulfill our social responsibility as a DNA testing laboratory, seeDNA Co., Ltd. has launched a service to provide prenatal DNA testing free of charge for victims of sexual violence.

Reports indicate that many women who have been victims of sexual violence undergo induced abortion.

However, in some cases, the biological father of the fetus may not be the perpetrator, but the legitimate partner.

Therefore, to support these victims, our company provides prenatal fetal DNA testing (blood) free of charge.

Background of the Service

In a press conference held by the Minister for Gender Equality in May of this year, it was announced that the number of consultations on sexual violence and crime received by one-stop support centers nationwide in FY2020 rose by 23.6% year-on-year to 51,141.

Furthermore, according to the Cabinet Office's White Paper on Gender Equality (2020 Edition), the number of recognized cases of forced sexual intercourse and other offenses in FY2019 was 1,405, exceeding the previous year. Sexual violence against women is a pressing social issue that requires urgent response.

An even more serious issue is 'unwanted pregnancy' resulting from sexual violence.

While current victim support includes the crime victim benefits system which covers induced abortion costs, there is also a possibility that the biological father of the fetus is not the perpetrator, but the legitimate partner.

Furthermore, even if the victim wishes to undergo a DNA test, the high cost of testing can be a major barrier, leading them to choose abortion anyway.

We are a domestic testing laboratory that performs prenatal DNA paternity testing using maternal blood in our own facility. As a social contribution that only we can offer, we are providing prenatal DNA testing free of charge for victims of sexual violence.

What is Prenatal DNA Paternity Testing Using Maternal Blood?

This is a test that identifies the biological father of a fetus by comparing fetal DNA floating in the mother's blood from 6 weeks of pregnancy with the DNA of a male candidate.

We have developed our own high-precision DNA testing technology, enabling paternity testing using blood collected from the 7th week of pregnancy (early stage). Furthermore, through partnerships with over 260 medical institutions nationwide, we can arrange swift blood collection.

Upon contacting us and meeting the necessary conditions, we will provide a private test*1 (worth ¥109,800 including tax) free of charge.

*1: A personal test completed solely by mailing the test kit.

For more details on our DNA testing, please refer to the video below.

Conditions for Receiving the Free Prenatal DNA Testing (Blood) Service

To receive our free prenatal blood DNA testing service for victims of sexual violence, the following two conditions must be met:

1. The conception date must be within 2 weeks before or after the incident date stated in the police report (verified using ultrasound photos or diagnosis certificates).

2. Declaration of the police report acceptance number and the name of the police station.

To Sexual Violence Victim Support Organizations

In reality, our company has limited means of directly contacting victims of sexual violence.

Therefore, we request the cooperation of sexual violence victim support organizations in introducing victims who are in such situations.

We look forward to hearing from organizations that support our support activities.

If you have any inquiries or feedback, please contact us using the form below.

Inquiries about DNA Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is the free prenatal DNA testing service for victims of sexual violence?

This is a service conducted by the seeDNA Genetic Medical Laboratory as part of its social contribution activities. We provide prenatal DNA paternity testing (private testing), normally priced at ¥109,800 (including tax), free of charge to women who have become pregnant due to sexual violence. It allows victims to determine during pregnancy whether the biological father of the fetus is the perpetrator or their partner, enabling them to obtain accurate information before deciding on an abortion(1).

Q.How is the prenatal DNA paternity test performed?

The test is conducted by collecting cfDNA (cell-free DNA) of fetal origin circulating in the mother's blood from 6 weeks of pregnancy onwards and comparing it with the DNA of the candidate father(2). With our unique high-precision DNA testing technology, seeDNA can perform the test from the 7th week of pregnancy, eliminating the need for invasive procedures such as amniocentesis. Blood can be collected at more than 260 partner medical institutions nationwide.

Q.What are the conditions to receive the free service?

There are two conditions: (1) The conception date must be within 2 weeks before or after the incident date stated in the police report (verified by ultrasound photos or medical certificate). (2) You must declare the police report acceptance number and the name of the police station. If these conditions are met, the private test, which is completed solely by mailing the test kit, will be provided free of charge.

Q.Why is it necessary to provide free DNA testing to sexual violence victims?

According to the Cabinet Office's White Paper on Gender Equality (2020 Edition), the number of recognized cases of forced sexual intercourse and other offenses in FY2019 reached 1,405(3). While cases of induced abortion due to unwanted pregnancy from sexual violence have been reported, there is a possibility that the biological father of the fetus is the legitimate partner rather than the perpetrator. To prevent victims from choosing abortion without verifying due to the high cost of testing, this free service is necessary.

Q.How can sexual violence victim support organizations cooperate?

Since seeDNA has limited direct contact with victims, we request the cooperation of support organizations in providing information and referring victims to us. Organizations that agree with our support activities can contact us through the inquiry form on the official seeDNA website.