Marty Goddard's Mission to Improve Treatment of Sexual Assault Victims

Marty Goddard, a passionate advocate for social justice, discovered that many young people leaving home were victims of sexual abuse. She began working to change the way sexual assault cases were handled and evidence was collected. Marty introduced a comprehensive evidence collection kit, with the support of Louis Vittullo from the Chicago Police Department. The kit included swabs, slides, and a sign-off sheet at each stage to ensure the responsibility of evidence collection. Marty faced challenges in funding and gaining recognition, but with the help of the Playboy Foundation, she produced 10,000 rape kits and initiated a pilot program. Eventually, the kits became widely accepted, leading to changes in procedures and the development of forensic nursing. Marty's work significantly improved evidence collection and increased awareness about sexual assault.