Comments on: Survivor’s Story: Helena http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11 Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:30:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Peyton Murphy http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-2014 Peyton Murphy Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:32:56 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-2014 I'm just wondering. How do you become someone that can share their story in a blog like this? I’m just wondering. How do you become someone that can share their story in a blog like this?

]]> By: A Joyful Gala, An Important Cause http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-1012 A Joyful Gala, An Important Cause Mon, 23 May 2011 20:03:01 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-1012 [...] last year’s Gala, Neal listened as a woman named Helena told her story about her rape kit that had been stuck in Los Angeles’s backlog for over a decade. [...] [...] last year’s Gala, Neal listened as a woman named Helena told her story about her rape kit that had been stuck in Los Angeles’s backlog for over a decade. [...]

]]> By: RedMango http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-35 RedMango Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:26:44 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-35 Very nice post! Very nice post!

]]> By: Luciana Paesani http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-22 Luciana Paesani Fri, 08 Oct 2010 01:36:24 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-22 Hello Helena. Well, first of all, I wanted to Thank You. You are one of the most courageous woman in the world. You are helping others by telling your story; by shering such a painful moment of your life. I'm 15 years now, I'm from Argentina. And I was.. sexual assaulted when I was 13. It wasn't that much. He did not rape me. But anyway it was painful to me, because I was so little. I lived wih fear for over a year. I live in a very small town, so I was forced to see him every single day; it turned my stomach. Police didn't do much abouit it. They couldn't because he didn't rape me. But my story was in the local newspapers. My heart still races when I see him. But it's not the same now. Because, thanks to L&O Special Victims Unit and that beautiful angel named Mariska, I learned it's not my fault. And I know that what happened to me was just a little part of what happens to thousands of women in the Earth. That's why I Thank you again, Helena. For your Strength, for your Courage and your commitment. I want to make a call for action, too. To put an end to the rape kit backlog. My best wishes go to you! I hope you find Peace. God is merciful, and His mercy shines on those in darkness!.. Good Luck! Love Luciana.. Hello Helena.

Well, first of all, I wanted to Thank You. You are one of the most courageous woman in the world. You are helping others by telling your story; by shering such a painful moment of your life.
I’m 15 years now, I’m from Argentina. And I was.. sexual assaulted when I was 13. It wasn’t that much. He did not rape me. But anyway it was painful to me, because I was so little. I lived wih fear for over a year. I live in a very small town, so I was forced to see him every single day; it turned my stomach. Police didn’t do much abouit it. They couldn’t because he didn’t rape me. But my story was in the local newspapers. My heart still races when I see him. But it’s not the same now.
Because, thanks to L&O Special Victims Unit and that beautiful angel named Mariska, I learned it’s not my fault. And I know that what happened to me was just a little part of what happens to thousands of women in the Earth. That’s why I Thank you again, Helena. For your Strength, for your Courage and your commitment. I want to make a call for action, too. To put an end to the rape kit backlog.
My best wishes go to you! I hope you find Peace. God is merciful, and His mercy shines on those in darkness!..

Good Luck! Love

Luciana..

]]> By: Sharmili Majmudar http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-20 Sharmili Majmudar Wed, 06 Oct 2010 16:03:16 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-20 Thank you for your courage in coming forward and sharing your story, Helena. As the director of a rape crisis center in Chicago, I know how important it is for someone to hear your story with compassion instead of judgment. Your struggle for justice, and answers, is real and inspirational. Thank you for your courage in coming forward and sharing your story, Helena. As the director of a rape crisis center in Chicago, I know how important it is for someone to hear your story with compassion instead of judgment. Your struggle for justice, and answers, is real and inspirational.

]]> By: stacey Schrimsher http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-13 stacey Schrimsher Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:50:10 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-13 I admire you for sharing your story. As a survivor of rape, I chose not to tell anyone or go to the hospital for a kit. Because of this I have been painfully unaware of the back log. My assumption was that if a victim sought help that they got it...that there had to be justice. I was horribly naive. Thank you for sharing your story, for letting us know about the injustice being done. Only now can we fight it, and help people seek and receive the justice they deserve. You are a hero, because of you others will experience healing. I admire you for sharing your story. As a survivor of rape, I chose not to tell anyone or go to the hospital for a kit. Because of this I have been painfully unaware of the back log. My assumption was that if a victim sought help that they got it…that there had to be justice. I was horribly naive.
Thank you for sharing your story, for letting us know about the injustice being done. Only now can we fight it, and help people seek and receive the justice they deserve.
You are a hero, because of you others will experience healing.

]]> By: Kelly Straws http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-10 Kelly Straws Mon, 04 Oct 2010 04:06:40 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-10 Helana, I am astonished at what you went though and what so many other survivors have gone through as a result of the backlogged rape kits. I wanted to comment to you that I know the sense of relief that you felt at discoverng that your attacker was in prison. I have known that kind of relief, too. I felt it when I saw my abusive ex for the first time in 22 years. The last time I saw him, he was saying he would kill me and my baby daughter. I fled for my life. My baby was three weeks old. For the better part of 22 years, I looked over my shoulder wondering if he was watching me. Then about 7 months ago he found my daughter. She ended up going to see him in June.. My dad lives in the same general area so I went to see my dad, too. Well, somehow I ended up driving my daughter to see him. I was terrified. But, I went in at the request of my daughter. Guess what? He was in a wheelchair with one foot amputated. I felt like I had nothing to fear anymore. I know that this situation doesn't compare to what you endured. But it is the same idea. For me, it was bittersweet. I don't have to be afraid of him anymore. That feels great. You are very brave and courageous. Take care, Kels Helana, I am astonished at what you went though and what so many other survivors have gone through as a result of the backlogged rape kits.
I wanted to comment to you that I know the sense of relief that you felt at discoverng that your attacker was in prison. I have known that kind of relief, too. I felt it when I saw my abusive ex for the first time in 22 years. The last time I saw him, he was saying he would kill me and my baby daughter. I fled for my life. My baby was three weeks old.
For the better part of 22 years, I looked over my shoulder wondering if he was watching me. Then about 7 months ago he found my daughter. She ended up going to see him in June.. My dad lives in the same general area so I went to see my dad, too. Well, somehow I ended up driving my daughter to see him. I was terrified. But, I went in at the request of my daughter. Guess what? He was in a wheelchair with one foot amputated. I felt like I had nothing to fear anymore.
I know that this situation doesn’t compare to what you endured. But it is the same idea. For me, it was bittersweet. I don’t have to be afraid of him anymore. That feels great.
You are very brave and courageous. Take care, Kels

]]> By: Anna http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-8 Anna Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:28:11 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-8 you are a hero, Helena. I am across the world for you, and applauding for you. you are a hero, Helena. I am across the world for you, and applauding for you.

]]> By: Kathryn Roberts http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-7 Kathryn Roberts Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:02:31 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-7 Helena, Thank you for sharing your courage by telling your story. I am deeply saddened by the sheer number of untested rape kits in our country. I am thankful that Joyful Heart has launched this initiative. Your story has inspired me to get involved and take action! Helena,
Thank you for sharing your courage by telling your story. I am deeply saddened by the sheer number of untested rape kits in our country. I am thankful that Joyful Heart has launched this initiative. Your story has inspired me to get involved and take action!

]]> By: fern http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-6 fern Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:33:13 +0000 http://endthebacklog.org/blog/?p=11#comment-6 thank you for telling your story. you are very brave and i never knew about this issue before i came on this page. i cant believe they did nothing. im sorry for that but im glad he's locked up now. thank you for telling your story. you are very brave and i never knew about this issue before i came on this page. i cant believe they did nothing. im sorry for that but im glad he’s locked up now.

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