Welcome.

 

I am known by the media as Therese.  I’ve created this website with the purpose of reaching out to those with similar experiences and perhaps offer some hope.  There is life beyond the terror and there is help that can be found.  I hope, ultimately, by sharing my story and suggestions that I may save a life.

 

I've also written this because after over eight years of patiently waiting, my unknown assailant has not been caught and charged for this crime.  My case, (that the police call 'Project Shadow') is an open one, unsolved, a mystery.  Because of this, I am limited of what I can reveal.  I'm now tired of waiting and now wish to voice out what I can.

 

The story that follows is my personal experience regarding a violent assault that happened on October 19, 2001.  Warning!  What you may read here might be disturbing, but I think it is crucial to share my story with you so you can understand that this type of violence can happen anywhere in any neighborhood at any time.  No one is truly safe from this type of violence.  You can live in the best neighborhoods, have the best security installed in your home, etc. and that will still not be enough to keep you safe.  This retelling focuses on what happened during the attack, after the attack, dealings with the police and media as well as the healing process I went through and still go through.  To those who may surf these sites for educational purposes, this may show you how to see the world from the survivor's eyes as supposed to the world the therapist or police force see.

 

I will touch base on common-sense tips to help you avoid a possible encounter with violence and a few tips to protect yourself.

 

Notice that I use the word 'survivor' and not 'victim'.  I abhor the word, 'victim'.  When the word 'victim' is labelled on someone it creates the illusion that the person will forever live in fear and then will always be one.  We are not 'victims', we are Survivors!  My mind may not be clear on all the details of the attack (thankfully) but I wish to tell this story as frankly, personally, and factful as I can.  Thank you for your interest.

 

 

Please be kind and ask permission for a copy of anything on this site.