Revising Historical Narratives

The historical narrative surrounding the invention of the rape kit has often credited Louis Vitullo as its primary creator, but new insights reveal that Marty Goddard, an activist working with runaway youth, played a crucial role in its development. In the 1970s, Goddard became acutely aware of the hidden epidemic of sexual assault among young runaways, which prompted her to advocate for better investigative practices. She questioned the existing police methodologies and emphasized the pressing need to perform thorough examinations following assaults. By bringing her expertise and experiences to the forefront, she sought to change the narrative surrounding sexual assault investigations and empower victims to have their cases taken seriously by law enforcement.