Tanya Mosley

Pagan-Kennedy's book, The Secret History of the Rape Kid, A True Crime Story, sheds light on Marty Goddard's contributions and explores the broader issue of gender discrimination and the treatment of sexual assault victims. Kennedy is the author of several books, and her writing has appeared in dozens of publications.

And she's worked as a columnist for The New York Times Magazine, The Boston Globe Magazine, and The Village Voice. Pegyn Kennedy, welcome to Fresh Air. And thank you for this book. It really is a fascinating read.

And she's worked as a columnist for The New York Times Magazine, The Boston Globe Magazine, and The Village Voice. Pegyn Kennedy, welcome to Fresh Air. And thank you for this book. It really is a fascinating read.

And she's worked as a columnist for The New York Times Magazine, The Boston Globe Magazine, and The Village Voice. Pegyn Kennedy, welcome to Fresh Air. And thank you for this book. It really is a fascinating read.

I want to know first how you came to learn about Marty Goddard.

I want to know first how you came to learn about Marty Goddard.

I want to know first how you came to learn about Marty Goddard.

Marty Goddard died in 2015, but she kind of stumbled upon this prevalence of rape through runaway culture back in the 70s. What was her job and what did she report seeing with these runaway kids?

Marty Goddard died in 2015, but she kind of stumbled upon this prevalence of rape through runaway culture back in the 70s. What was her job and what did she report seeing with these runaway kids?

Marty Goddard died in 2015, but she kind of stumbled upon this prevalence of rape through runaway culture back in the 70s. What was her job and what did she report seeing with these runaway kids?

Right. This was like psychedelic culture that, yeah, these kids were going out for adventure. Yeah.

Right. This was like psychedelic culture that, yeah, these kids were going out for adventure. Yeah.

Right. This was like psychedelic culture that, yeah, these kids were going out for adventure. Yeah.

She was asking basic questions that it's so obvious today, but questions like, what if sexual assault could be investigated and prosecuted like a murder or a robbery? Today, it's an obvious yes. But take us back to that time period. What were some of the antiquated definitions of rape back then?

She was asking basic questions that it's so obvious today, but questions like, what if sexual assault could be investigated and prosecuted like a murder or a robbery? Today, it's an obvious yes. But take us back to that time period. What were some of the antiquated definitions of rape back then?

She was asking basic questions that it's so obvious today, but questions like, what if sexual assault could be investigated and prosecuted like a murder or a robbery? Today, it's an obvious yes. But take us back to that time period. What were some of the antiquated definitions of rape back then?

Thinking about Taxi Driver, the movie.

Thinking about Taxi Driver, the movie.

Thinking about Taxi Driver, the movie.

So Marty Goddard worked with runaway youth. She discovered this issue of sexual abuse and assault and rape and many of the reasons why these young people were running away from their homes and their communities. You Right about that, but you also write about Marty's life. She was a trailblazer, but also defiant. You describe her as troubled and mysterious.