Problem:
Every 78 seconds someone is sexually assaulted in the US. However, only 30% report their crime and of those that do and collect evidence with a sexual assault evidence kit (rape kit) only 1% of those cases end in any convictions. As a Master's thesis project at the School of Visual Arts, I set out to tackle these complicated statistics and experiences through design and look to redesign the reporting process and rape kits.

Solution:
I designed 6 different solutions including a redesigned sexual assault kit that helps nurses collect evidence more easily, an app that helps victims more easily report, a service that comes to victims to treat them after an assault and many more. Margo Health is a culmination of these designs and was founded in 2020. Margo is named after the inventor of the kit, Martha Goddard. The designs have won various awards including the Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award.

Process + Role:
This work took over 3 years to develop and included a year long user research initiative as an advocate in the New York Presbyterian hospital to observe how kits were being used and collected. The designs have been shared with multiple stakeholders and partnerships have been developed with key organizations working with the city to engage in this process. Margo work is ongoing and constantly iterating.