Tiny Matters

The rape kit: From controversial 1970s invention to ending the backlog today


Listen Later

In the 1970s, the rape kit began as a simple box with some envelopes, a comb, nail clippers, and a few other basic tools. The contents of the kit have evolved somewhat since then, but the technology to analyze samples has evolved astronomically. And, through and through, the rape kit has stood for the idea that every survivor has the right to go to a hospital, get a full forensic exam, and have their evidence taken seriously. On today's episode, we talk about how the rape kit became a reality and the woman who championed the rape kit into the tool it is today. We also discuss what the future of the rape kit could look like, how the rape kit backlog has grown of out control in some states, and what activists are doing about it.

Send us your science facts, news, or other stories for a chance to be featured on an upcoming Tiny Show and Tell Us bonus episode. And, while you're at it, subscribe to our newsletter!

Links to the Tiny Show and Tell stories are here and here. All Tiny Matters transcripts and references are available here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Tiny MattersBy Multitude

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

90 ratings


More shows like Tiny Matters

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,894 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,819 Listeners

99% Invisible by Roman Mars

99% Invisible

26,225 Listeners

Outside/In by NHPR

Outside/In

1,478 Listeners

Dear Hank & John by Complexly

Dear Hank & John

7,755 Listeners

Gastropod by Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley

Gastropod

3,660 Listeners

Science Vs by Spotify Studios

Science Vs

12,226 Listeners

Sidedoor by Smithsonian Institution

Sidedoor

2,231 Listeners

Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

24,404 Listeners

Waystation: A Lost Girl Fancast by Multitude

Waystation: A Lost Girl Fancast

89 Listeners

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week by Popular Science

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

2,189 Listeners

SciShow Tangents by Complexly

SciShow Tangents

1,506 Listeners

Articles of Interest by Avery Trufelman

Articles of Interest

3,573 Listeners

Short Wave by NPR

Short Wave

6,547 Listeners

NEXT STOP by Multitude

NEXT STOP

267 Listeners

Exolore: facts-based fictional worldbuilding by Multitude

Exolore: facts-based fictional worldbuilding

98 Listeners

Completely Arbortrary by Completely Arbortrary

Completely Arbortrary

1,241 Listeners

Wow If True by Multitude

Wow If True

54 Listeners

Let's Learn Everything! by Maximum Fun

Let's Learn Everything!

423 Listeners

Games and Feelings by Multitude

Games and Feelings

28 Listeners

Tell Me About It by Multitude

Tell Me About It

79 Listeners

Big Game Hunger by Multitude

Big Game Hunger

31 Listeners

Head Heart Gut Sample Episodes by Multitude

Head Heart Gut Sample Episodes

5 Listeners

Attach Your Résumé by Multitude

Attach Your Résumé

119 Listeners