Thursday, May 20, 2004
AGAINST MY WILL
Overcoming the trauma of rape can be a nearly impossible feat for some women. Today we'll meet 3 strong women who have been able to do just that with the help of their husbands and family. When Heather and Steve moved into their new neighborhood, they were challenged by a new feeling that of being a minority in an all-black neighborhood. As they were trying to adjust themselves to this new place, the unimaginable happened. Heather was raped one night at home when Steve was still at work and her children were asleep in another room. Her attacker was an African American man, which added to Heather and Steve's uncertainty about staying in the neighborhood. When Heather discovered she was pregnant with her attacker's child she says that she felt violated at first, feeling that the rape was clinging to her and changing her life. Amazingly enough, she and Steve found out they had great love for the biracial baby. By the time she was born their daughter Rachel was already endeared in their hearts. We'll also meet Kristina, who in 1995 at the age of 19, was drugged and date-raped by a man. When she reported it to the police, they didnt believe her story at the time. Five years later, she got a call from the DA's office who said 8 other women have since come forward about this same man. Kristina says that if the police had taken her seriously in 1995, then none of these other women would have been raped. We'll also meet one of those other women, Ariane, who has been able to move on from her trauma because of her faith, her family and friends.
Today's Guests
Heather:: A survivor of rape who became pregnant, and has kept and raised the child. She is the author of the book, Startling Beauty, available online: (www.amazon.com)
Steve:: Heather's husband who lovingly accepted Heather's biracial baby as his own
Kristina:: A survivor of date rape whose initial police report was ignored until her rapist was accused by 7 other women
Ariane:: A survivor of date rape who was drugged and raped by the same man that raped Kristina
Brian:: Kristina's husband
Michael:: Ariane's husband
Susan Carney:: Produced a documentary called, Betrayal: The Truth About Acquaintance Rape, which includes Kristina and Ariane's stories



