“It’s the thing that everybody wants to keep secret, but it ain’t no secret. I got off at work at six and caught the bus home. I had forgotten it was New Year’s Eve. I got off the bus and crossed the street. Two men with a gun approached and forced me between two buildings. It was dark. I felt alone and helpless. The first one did his thing. Then I went to my apartment complex, knocking on doors, trying to get help. Nobody answered their doors. The security guard called the police; they told me they didn’t believe me. I went to the USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital. They did a rape kit on me, but the case went dead. Nothing happened for twenty-two years. 

I was twenty-six and had two babies; I had to keep going.  Those were years of not sleeping and not eating right–losing and gaining weight. I feared the rape could happen again. I was running away from something but not able to get away. I was trying to forget, but I couldn’t forget. 

In late 2017 or early 2018, I heard people outside my house. They were coming to tell me that my cold case had reopened. My perpetrator had reoffended. His DNA was in the system and came back as a hit on my case. He was going to be prosecuted.

I felt relief and cried tears of joy; but sometimes, I wanted to quit and not go through this. Lifelines Counseling Services worked closely with me, never giving me false hope. We were ready to go to court when COVID hit. Everything was postponed. 

We finally went to court on April 23, 2023. My perpetrator was pleading guilty because they had his DNA. I took the stand in front of him, the judge, and the jury to read my victim’s statement. It felt good to tell this man what he took from me: my courage and confidence. I felt powerless. Speaking up for myself started the process of getting that back. I got to hear ‘guilty’ and see him handcuffed and arrested. That afternoon, I just sat on my porch and looked at the sky. Free. 

After the trial, I factory reset my phone and factory reset my life. I feel my sparkle again. I met Tim a long time ago and always liked him. We had both been married to other people, but it finally worked out for us to be together. He supported me through the trial. We got married on July 22, 2023. The staff at Lifeline’s gave us a wedding at The Junior League of Mobile office. It felt like people cared about me. 

All of those years, I never lost hope. Now that I’m on the other side, I want to tell my story and give hope to those who need it. I had angels who helped me; now, I get to be an angel to other women.”

Helen