The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story is an expanded version of Pagan Kennedy’s incredible NYT article from 2020. It centers mostly around Marty Goddard, the woman who invented the rape kit, despite having credit stolen, and progress impeded, by men.
Through Kennedy’s research, we learn Goddard’s troubled life, her tenacity, and the indelible impact she left on the world. Kennedy, a survivor of sexual assault, brings her own story into the book, and as a reader, I appreciated how invested she was in bringing Goddard’s work to light.
There is also a lot about the politics of rape, and how the system seems set up to silence victims, and pretend that sexual assault is not a problem (or at least one a patriarchal society refuses to acknowledge).
I especially loved reading about Malimah Johnson’s work with SASHA, and creating a space for African American women to determine their own healing following sexual assault, and continue to feel safe in the world. Antya Waegemann’s work on updated the rape kit for a digital world is also incredibly interesting.
This is an engaging, empowering book. We need more Marty Goddards in the world; there is so much more work to do to ensure all women feel safe, respected, and heard.
California Reading 