In the early 1970s, Chicago grappled with a silent epidemic of sexual assault. An estimated 16,000 individuals were assaulted annually, yet a mere fraction of these cases were reported, and even fewer perpetrators faced justice. This alarming reality was compounded by the Chicago Police Department’s dismissive attitude toward victims, often labeling them as liars or prostitutes, as reflected in their training manuals. This environment of disbelief and disregard for victims fostered impunity for perpetrators and further silenced those who had already suffered immensely. The system, as it stood, was not designed to pursue justice but rather to perpetuate a culture of victim-blaming.
Into this landscape of injustice stepped Martha “Marty” Goddard, a visionary in her 30s, driven by a profound sense of unease at the rampant injustice faced by survivors of sexual assault. Using the androgynous name “Marty” as a shield, Goddard embarked on a mission that would revolutionize forensic science and significantly impact the pursuit of justice in sexual assault cases. Her groundbreaking creation, the first standardized rape kit, emerged as a beacon of hope in a system that had consistently failed survivors. This meticulously designed kit encompassed all the necessary tools for proper evidence collection: swabs, vials, combs, slides, clippers, bags, instructions, and even information cards directing victims to support services. Goddard’s kit transformed a chaotic and dismissive process into a structured, evidence-based one, laying the foundation for a more just and accountable system.
Pagan Kennedy’s compelling book, “The Secret History of the Rape Kit,” meticulously chronicles Goddard’s remarkable and ultimately tragic story. Kennedy underscores the revolutionary nature of Goddard’s work, highlighting how she shifted the paradigm of sexual assault investigation from subjective judgments about the victim’s character to the objective pursuit of forensic evidence. Prior to the rape kit, the system relied on a “kabuki theater of scientific justice,” where the focus was not on identifying the perpetrator but rather on scrutinizing the victim’s behavior and perceived credibility. Goddard’s innovation challenged this deeply flawed approach and paved the way for a more objective, evidence-based pursuit of justice.
Goddard’s journey began with her volunteer work at a crisis hotline, where she listened to the harrowing stories of runaway teenage girls, many of whom had endured sexual abuse. The recurring theme of these experiences ignited within her a conviction: “incontrovertible scientific proof” was crucial to holding perpetrators accountable. This realization fueled her determination to create a standardized system for collecting and preserving evidence. Her research revealed a disturbing reality: police routinely discarded evidence, hospitals lacked the proper tools and training for forensic examination, and even cases involving prominent figures like a Catholic bishop were mishandled. This systemic negligence underscored the urgent need for a standardized, readily available rape kit.
Navigating a male-dominated system, Goddard encountered resistance and manipulation. While appointed to a citizens’ advisory panel on rape, she was advised to secure male support for her initiative. Sgt. Louis Vitullo, a cop-scientist, initially dismissed her idea but later presented a near-identical prototype as his own invention. Goddard was forced to accept this appropriation to avoid jeopardizing the implementation of the kit, her primary goal. This act of plagiarism, however, was not merely personal; it served to obscure the systemic failures of the police department that Goddard’s work exposed. The subsequent surveillance and harassment she endured from the Chicago Police Department’s Red Squad further highlight the deeply entrenched corruption and resistance to reform within the institution.
Despite the setbacks and lack of recognition, Goddard persevered. With funding from an unlikely source, the Playboy Foundation, and later through her work with the Wieboldt Foundation, she championed the widespread adoption of rape kits in Chicago hospitals. This marked a pivotal moment in the fight against sexual violence, providing survivors with a tangible tool for seeking justice and transforming the narrative around sexual assault. Media coverage hailed the rape kit as a groundbreaking innovation, emphasizing its potential to empower survivors and hold perpetrators accountable. Goddard’s work not only provided a practical tool but also shifted the focus from the victim’s credibility to the forensic evidence, making the kit itself a silent witness in legal proceedings.
Tragically, the champion of survivors was herself a survivor. Kennedy’s investigation into Goddard’s life uncovered a deeply personal connection to the issue she so tirelessly fought for: Goddard had been abducted and brutally raped in Hawaii, an experience that left her with both physical and emotional scars. She retreated from public life, battling the physical and emotional aftermath of her assault, ultimately dying in obscurity in 2015. Her story underscores the profound impact of sexual violence and the often hidden struggles of survivors, even those who dedicate their lives to fighting for justice. While Goddard’s rape kit became a crucial tool in the fight against sexual assault, her own experience remained a private burden, highlighting the pervasive nature of this crime and the long-lasting impact it can have on its victims. Despite the widespread adoption of the rape kit, its initial impact on law enforcement was hampered by systemic negligence, with untested kits piling up in police departments across the country. However, Goddard’s legacy and the continued advocacy of others eventually led to significant reforms and funding to address this backlog, demonstrating the enduring power of her vision and the ongoing fight for justice in cases of sexual assault. Goddard’s story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of personal tragedy, the pursuit of justice can bring about lasting and meaningful change.
