FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kimberly Toms, a survivor of sexual assault, attempted murder, stalking, and image-based sexual assault perpetrated by a Special Agent for the U.S. Department of State is calling for urgent reforms in law enforcement and the justice system. As hearings of her case continue years after a guilty verdict, she now advocates for change and support for fellow survivors.
“The system is designed to protect the powerful, not the vulnerable,” says Toms. “My journey has exposed deep-rooted issues that demand urgent attention. We need a complete overhaul of how sexual assault cases are handled, especially when the perpetrator holds a position of authority.”
Toms’ ordeal began in 2013 when a federal agent sexually assaulted her after she had moved to Milwaukee for a new job. The assault was followed by stalking and other illegal acts, with her trauma worsened by systemic challenges in seeking justice.
“From the moment I first met him in a restaurant, his badge and gun were always present, even over cocktails,” Toms recalls. “They were a constant reminder of his power over me, and of how the very symbols meant to represent protection had become tools of intimidation.”
Toms’ case highlights the challenges survivors face when seeking justice against government officials. Despite clear evidence, Toms has encountered numerous roadblocks, including:
“The fact that my offender’s original judge now sits on the Appellate Board raises serious questions about impartiality,” Toms notes. “This is just one example of how the system is stacked against survivors.”
The complexity of Toms’ case, involving an offender with cross-jurisdictional authority, has exposed critical gaps in how law enforcement handles such situations. “I found myself explaining my situation to multiple officers in different states, usually without success,” Toms shares. “The lack of consistency and communication between departments only added to my frustration and fear.” This issue is not isolated to individual cases—Systemic issues have been found in several agencies, such as the FBI, which recently settled for $22 million after a lawsuit claimed female recruits were unfairly dismissed due to gender bias during training
Toms is advocating for several key reforms:
Toms’ advocacy work extends beyond her own case. She regularly speaks at conferences and offers consulting opportunities with law enforcement agencies. Her website, kimberlytoms.com, serves as a resource hub for those navigating similar challenges.
“While my fight for justice continues, I’m committed to ensuring that future survivors don’t face the same obstacles,” Toms concludes. “We need systemic change, and we need it now. The cost of inaction is lost lives.
As Toms continues to push for reforms, she encourages other survivors to speak out and seek support.
“To anyone out there who has experienced sexual assault at the hands of someone in authority: you are not alone. Your feelings are valid, and your story matters. Healing is possible, even when it feels impossible.”
For resources for survivors of sexual assault please visit https://rainn.org.
For more information, visit kimberlytoms.com, or contact: PR@kimberlytoms.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kimberly Toms, a survivor of sexual violence, attempted murder, and other crimes perpetrated by a Supervisory Special Agent for the U.S. Department of State, received an update late Friday regarding the criminal rape case against her offender in the State of Wisconsin.
This case has remained on an average three-month hearing rotation in the court system since Toms’ offender was sentenced to incarceration on June 26, 2020. A jury trial previously resulted in a guilty verdict on the charge of sexual assault on February 14, 2020. Her offender was not charged for a second rape, attempted murder, cross-country stalking, image-based sexual assault, financial extortion, terroristic acts, harassment, attempted theft and other crimes he committed against her.
“As is the case for many survivors facing empowered offenders in the court system, only the crime with the most significant legal repercussions and clear evidence was charged,” said Toms, “My offender was an active special agent for the federal government at the time of his offenses, so one can easily imagine how precarious my situation was then and continues to be today, although I have ensured he will never work in law enforcement again. Trying to gather evidence against him was extremely difficult as he was using his training, badge, connections and skillsets to cover his tracks, just as law enforcement officers he had never met and the USDOS, itself, stood up to protect him at my expense.”
“Despite being a serial offender of double digits of women according to the State Department, my offender has not experienced true justice in the manner that unempowered individuals in the same state would. Much of this comes down to ‘professional courtesy,’ while other aspects are pure negligence. The latest negligence has been a four-year ‘loss’ of the court transcripts for the case.”
After this case teetered toward a potential retrial due to the lost transcripts, an action the defendant favored, the negligent court reporter was finally subpoenaed in a last-ditch effort to locate the files. Within three days of the September 23, 2024 hearing on this matter, all the withheld documentation was filed with the courts as it should have been by the end of 2020.
Toms explained, “I have known from the moment I met this man that I had a rough road ahead of me. I acknowledged that few people in positions of power would believe me against a federal agent and that the justice system would default in his favor from beginning to end. It has done so. Although I can never expect true protection or ‘justice’ against my offender, I can work hard to bring attention to flaws like these in cases of empowerment and the criminal justice system. At some point, I will affect even a minor change somewhere that makes the journey easier for future victims, and then my struggles will have been worthwhile.”
Toms encourages both the public and policymakers to support her advocacy efforts. For more information, visit kimberlytoms.com or follow her on social media.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
PR@kimberlytoms.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2024
C.Kimberly Toms, a survivor of sexual violence, attempted murder, and other crimes perpetrated by a Supervisory Special Agent for the U.S. Department of State, addressed federal law enforcement officials on Thursday, September 19th at the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) National Training Institute (NTI). Speaking during an invitation-only session, Toms called for urgent reforms to better support survivors, particularly those affected by image-based sexual assault and violent crimes.
Drawing on her personal experiences, Toms stressed the immediate need for systemic change in how survivors are treated. Central to her advocacy is the call for enhanced police training focused on trauma-informed interactions with survivors. Toms specifically highlighted the critical need to treat image-based sexual assault as a serious act of violence, urging law enforcement to hold offenders accountable while approaching survivors with greater compassion and understanding.
“Survivors face immense challenges, especially when their abusers are in positions of power,” said Toms, “We need systemic reforms—improved training for law enforcement, better oversight, and a more just legal system—to ensure survivors receive the justice and support they are entitled to.”
“The need for legal protections for victims of image-based sexual assault is undeniable,” Toms added. “We must take immediate action to correct these injustices, starting with how law enforcement supports survivors when they report these crimes.”
As Toms prepares for a significant court date regarding her perpetrator on September 23rd, her case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for justice that many survivors face. She is determined to use her platform to help others avoid the obstacles she has endured.
Toms encourages both the public and policymakers to support her advocacy efforts. For more information, visit kimberlytoms.com or follow her on social media.
For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
PR@kimberlytoms.com