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The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy

The Secret History of the Rape Kit

A True Crime Story

by Pagan Kennedy

  • Critics' Consensus (6):
  • Readers' Rating (13):
  • Published:
  • Jan 2025, 256 pages
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There are currently 13 reader reviews for The Secret History of the Rape Kit
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Pamela K. (Churchville, NY)

Demystification of the History of the Rape Kit
Thankfully Pagan Kennedy dedicated several years of her life and her notable skills as a researcher and journalist to write this amazing non-fiction work titled, The Secret History of the Rape Kit. It is without question a compelling account of, not only the history of the rape kit, but perhaps more importantly, reveals the extent to which sexism and misogyny impacted the social justice system of the '70's and 80's. More specifically it documents how police departments and American society failed female victims who experienced sexual assault, abuse and rape. Kennedy describes the rape kit as the "work ofmore
Lauri Z. (Washington, DC)

"The Secret History of the Rape Kit-A True Crime Story", by Pagan Kennedy
This is a true story about Marty Goddard, birth name Martha, a victim of sexual assault in the late 1970's. She started as a volunteer at a crisis hotline for teens in Chicago, IL in the early 1970's and it was then that she learned that there were thousands of sexual assault cases not prosecuted due to lack of evidence. Further, there was a national law that marital rape was considered legal (and didn't become illegal until 1973). Marty became an advocate for these victims and was instrumental in developing the rape kit test. However, she did not receive a patent or professional credit for this invention asmore
Windell H. (Rock Hill, SC)

Secret History of the Rape Kit
A very well written book. The research on this was exceptional. In this time period women were being blatantly discriminated against by many branches of the Justice Department. Very strong and persistent women were involved in changing this. Victims of rape had very little physical evidence to support their case. Women were often times viewed as the perpetrator. Enter one woman who took up the cause and developed a forensic kit to test for violent sexual abuse . These kits were dispensed free of charge to many police departments. Many were used but never tested. Finally when a national DNA database was developedmore
Wanda T. (The Villages, FL)

The History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy
History has always been my favorite topic so when I saw this book I had to read it. The Secret History of the Rape Kit - A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy was quite an eye opener. The author did extensive research trying to find the origin of the rape kit. Her investigation led her to a Chicago police Sargent, Louis Vitullo, but she became suspicious because she knew the Chicago police department was well known for its violent behavior toward suspects and victims, as well, of crimes.

After further digging she uncovered the name Martha "Marty" Goddard and set out on a quest to find her. Vitullo at this point hadmore
Jim T. (North Ridgeville, OH)

The Secret History of.. the Rape Kit??!
"The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story" by Pagan Kennedy
Reviewed by Jim Traxler

If I were simply browsing through a list of new books, looking for something of interest, I have to confess that a book with the title, "The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story," would not draw much attention for me. But since the book was provided to me for review by NetGalley, I waded into it. To my great surprise, it became a page-turner. Imagine a scenario where a social worker named Marty Goddard with no medical or forensic expertise was able to design a kit for medical workers to gather forensicmore
Lorraine D. (Lacey, WA)

The Secret History of the Rape Kit, A True Crime Story - A Remarkable Revelation
To say that The Secret History of the Rape Kit, A True Crime Story is captivating is to say the least. It is a revelation of how things were, and likely still are in some locations, and the importance of truly observing, listening, and taking action. Martha "Marty" Goddard suffered severely in her early years and the impact was deep, painful, with long lasting effects. She was heroic in her attempts to seek solutions and establish fair, reliable systems to identify offenders and help victims. It was a monumental effort to infiltrate the male establishment, rectify the lack of relevant public education, acquiremore
Dona C. (Knoxville, TN)

A story of female empowerment
Incredible work of correcting and rewriting a long-held origin story. The reader gets a factual explanation of the creation of such a necessary tool as well as a look at what survivors were (and still are) facing when reporting a sexual assault. Wonderful research and notes and captivating storytelling.
Diane W. (Oakton, VA)

Magaret Goddard - Finally Getting Due Credit
Back in the 1970's when much of society, including police officers, weren't sure sexual assault was actually a crime – or how to prove it if it was, Martha Goddard invented the rape kit. However, in true – you can get more accomplished if you don't care who gets the credit- form, she allowed a Chicago police sergeant named Louis Vitullo to take credit for it.

She then pushed for acceptance – even getting a grant from Playboy to pilot her program. Once DNA was discovered as an evidence tool in the 1980's the rape kit was instrumental in securing convictions – and exonerating the wrongly accused.

It also proved thatmore
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