Sharon’s daughter was murdered by four men who broke into her home. The two children were at home at the time. The murderers were participating in a gang initiation and their instructions were to either kill someone they knew or a stranger. During the trial, when asked why the children were spared, one of the offenders said “they are our future members.” Sharon has struggled to find peace since the tragedy. She has had trouble holding down a job and was forced to file bankruptcy. She is bitter because two of the offenders are already out of prison and, unlike her daughter, they get a second chance.

Mary, a country music industry executive, was raped one night by a man who broke into her home. She helped the police capture him after he left a message on her answering machine. Her life was turned completely upside-down, but she found support from friends and hobbies. She discusses the importance of participating in the criminal justice system.

Mary, a former victim of domestic violence, shares her story in victim impact classes to try to help incarcerated offenders understand the impact this crime had on her life. Her ordeal began with emotional and verbal abuse by her husband. Once she expressed a desire to leave, his behavior escalated to physical violence. She and her children were able to escape and she now sees herself as a survivor.

In 1984 Becky was raped by an early-released prisoner. He kidnapped her from her catering business, and drove her to 5 different locations, raping her repeatedly at each place. He drove her back to her office and said “You’d like to get out wouldn’t you and continued driving.” Eventually the car got a flat tire and they went to a gas station. She convinced him to untie her and she ran into the station for help. The police captured him the next day. She had a lot support of a caring family, but she was grieved by having to share the difficult details of the crime in front of them in the courtroom. Becky got involved with a victims’ rights group and helped get a truth in sentencing law passed in her state.