Excerpt from the original article at RAINN.org:
Survivor: C. Kimberly Toms
The fight to STOP sexual violence starts with survivors and advocates like C. Kimberly Toms speaking truth to power.
Kimberly survived rape, stalking, and tech-enabled sexual abuse by a supervisory special agent in the U.S. Department of State.
“Being filmed without consent and knowing you’re being watched constantly—it’s a deeply damaging experience,” she shared. “It will always be hard knowing my rape is likely still on video out there somewhere. The nightmares that can cause…! Constantly wondering, When’s it going to pop up?”
For 7 years, Kimberly demanded justice, and in 2020, her perpetrator was finally tried and convicted.
“Only about 2.5% of sex offenders are ever convicted and incarcerated, so winning my case against a federal agent felt like a lightning strike,” said Kimberly.
The crime’s severity made the offender eligible for 40 years in prison, but the judge handed down an alarmingly brief sentence of only 11 months.
So, does Kimberly feel she received justice?
“Justice, for me, is knowing that a light has been shined on him.
He’s not hidden from view, using a badge to hurt women.”