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Dr Yvonne Kason – Farther Shores

Julie had been raised as a Roman Catholic.  At the time of this observation, she was twenty years old and in university, studying social work

One evening I attended a friend's graduation and, to celebrate, went with a group of friends to a local pub after the ceremony. One of the group was a young man I had been acquainted with for a few years. After we had a couple of drinks, " Alex" offered to drive me home. Since I'd known him for a while I couldn’t see any harm in the suggestion and accepted.

But instead of driving me home, he parked the car behind a dark, deserted factory.

When I explained I wasn't interested in "parking" and wanted to go home, he became angry. Before I could get away, he grabbed me and began to accost me, ripping my dress and forcing himself on me.

As I struggled against him and shouted "No " he became completely crazed, violently raped me, and brutalized me, even ripping hair from my body. Then, as I continued to fight, he began to scream that I was a bitch and that he was going to kill me. He reached under the seat with one hand and began to search for something, yelling about a knife. As he did, I managed to slip from his grasp and run from the car.

Bleeding and wounded, I began to run through the wooded area behind the factory. I was gripped with terror, certain that Alex really would kill me if he caught me, and I tried to run as fast as I could. But the area was pitch black, and I was extremely weak. I crashed through the woods, stumbling over rocks and branches and into trees. I could hear Alex behind me, gaining on me, and I knew I had no hope of outrunning him.

In utter desperation, I threw, myself on the ground and began to pray to the Virgin Mary for help. Suddenly, a woman bathed in a radiant light appeared before me and said, "Take my hand, I will help you." The light emanating from the woman seemed to illuminate the dark forest floor. The woman led me along, pointing out the way to go, and motioning when I should duck down or be completely silent. As the radiant woman led me out of the woods, Alex thrashed through the trees looking for me in vain. Once out of the woods, the woman continued to lead me through backyards and laneways, until I suddenly realized I was very near a friend’s house. The woman then disappeared and I ran to my friend who took me in and helped me get the medical, treatment I desperately needed.

Alex was not charged when Julie recovered enough to finally report the rape.  But a few years later, Alex was arrested and convicted of the rape and murder of an elderly woman whose home he had burgled.