Apr 2 2019

How Rape Kits Work

50 min 2 movies discussed
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Rape kits are simple forensic evidence collection kits used when someone is sexually assaulted. But the story is deeper than this. Learn all about rape kits, the sad backlog problem, and what you can do to help, in today's episode.

AI Summary

# Stuff You Should Know - Rape Kits Episode Summary

Josh and Chuck tackle the serious topic of sexual assault evidence collection kits, exploring their history from Martha Marty Goddard's groundbreaking invention in the 1970s through their use today. They walk through what the examination process actually involves for survivors, emphasizing the importance of seeking help while explaining the emotional and physical toll of the procedure. The episode also digs into the heartbreaking reality of the rape kit backlog, where thousands of kits across the country sat untested for years, and how this failure meant potential perpetrators remained free to commit additional crimes.


Movies Discussed

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999 TV-14
★ 8.0
"Mariska Hargitay from Law and Order SVU. Just from doing Law and Order SVU, her eyes were so open to this whole backlog problem. — Josh credited actress Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: SVU, as a 'hashtag hero' for raising awareness about the rape kit backlog through her foundation." — Josh
The Purge
The Purge
2013 1h 25m
★ 6.3
"It should be like a purge. Like the purge, yeah. That's what it should be like. — Chuck jokingly suggested that Sexual Assault Awareness Month action day should be like 'The Purge' movie, though he admitted he hadn't seen it." — Chuck

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