The Forgotten Pioneer: How Marty Goddard Revolutionized Justice with the Rape Kit
When New York Times journalist Pagan Kennedy began investigating the origins of the rape kit, she stumbled upon a shocking enigma: Martha “Marty” Goddard, a fierce activist and rape survivor who played a pivotal role in the development of this forensic breakthrough, had seemingly vanished from history. What Kennedy unearthed was the tragic reality of Goddard’s journey—the immense personal sacrifices she made for a cause that ultimately consumed her.
A&E True Crime delves into Kennedy’s revelations, chronicled in The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story, shedding light on the relentless efforts of Goddard, who tirelessly advocated for sexual assault survivors. Through her work at a crisis hotline and her executive role at the Wieboldt Foundation, she leveraged resources to gather data, raise awareness, and distribute a tool that would forever alter the landscape of forensic investigations.
Was Marty Goddard the Inventor of the Rape Kit?
The answer isn’t simple. Throughout the early 1970s, several experimental rape kits emerged, many of which were ineffective. However, Goddard was the driving force behind a successful model, using her nonprofit to trademark a kit under the name of Louis Vitullo, a Chicago Crime Lab police officer. Her decision was strategic—by attributing the kit to a man in law enforcement, she ensured institutional buy-in.
Goddard secured funding, orchestrated training programs, and educated medical personnel, law enforcement, and forensic experts on a groundbreaking new approach to evidence collection. While Vitullo contributed to refining the prototype, it was Goddard who spearheaded the movement that transformed sexual assault investigations.
A Vision Beyond the Kit: Changing the System
Goddard’s ambition was never just about a forensic tool; it was about dismantling a culture of disbelief. In the 1970s, police manuals explicitly stated that most women who reported rape were lying. Survivors faced not only trauma but also institutionalized skepticism.
Goddard aimed to redefine sexual assault as a solvable crime, advocating for the respect and credibility of survivors. Her work challenged the legal and medical systems to recognize physical evidence as indisputable proof, preventing cases from being dismissed based on prejudice and bias.
What Fueled Marty’s Relentless Drive?
Her advocacy began when she worked with runaway teens, who confided in her about escaping sexual abuse rather than embracing countercultural movements. The sheer prevalence of these stories ignited her determination to expose the hidden epidemic of sexual violence.
Unlike many activists taking to the streets, Goddard operated as a strategist. She dissected the system, pinpointed its failures, and devised a method to create undeniable proof of assault. If victims could present physical evidence, the conversation around rape would shift dramatically.
Would Goddard Approve of How Rape Kits Are Used Today?
The irony of progress is that, despite technological advancements, the rape kit has remained fundamentally unchanged for five decades. The forensic box still lacks national standardization, an issue Goddard would have fought fiercely against. Furthermore, while digital evidence like text messages and video recordings now play a role in sexual assault cases, the system still struggles with accessibility and efficiency.
The Lingering Crisis: The Untested Backlog and Accessibility Issues
Organizations like End the Backlog have helped bring awareness to the issue of untested rape kits, but an even larger problem persists: the barriers preventing survivors from filing them in the first place.
The process is grueling. Survivors must find a hospital equipped for forensic exams, endure hours-long waits in emergency rooms, and then undergo a multi-hour examination. For those without transportation, childcare, or the ability to take time off work, the obstacles are insurmountable.
Innovative solutions, such as mobile forensic units and telemedicine, could revolutionize accessibility, potentially tripling the number of filed kits. If more evidence entered the system, serial predators could be identified faster, while wrongful accusations could be more effectively disproven.
The Legacy Marty Goddard Deserves
Marty Goddard’s work set the stage for a new era of justice, yet history has largely overlooked her contributions. Her meticulous approach to systemic change exemplifies how true reform happens—not just through advocacy but through an unwavering commitment to fixing what is broken.
Every survivor today has the right to a forensic examination, a right secured through the tireless efforts of a woman who refused to accept a world that dismissed victims. Her story is one of resilience, brilliance, and heartbreak—a reminder that the fight for justice is never truly over.
