"Nice to put you away," Heidi Damon told the man who nearly killed her at his sentencing
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.com'I am not the victim; I'm the victor,' woman tells attacker
Seeded on Fri Dec 9, 2011 3:48 PM EST (msnbc.com)
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"Your Name is Sex Offender, Attempted Murder" Win
Way to go, Heidi! The culture of this country unfortunately shames and even blames rape victims when they have NOTHING to be ashamed of. Thank you, Heidi, for being strong, speaking out, and realizing that it was NOT your fault. As crazy as it sounds, that's an accomplishment when it comes to rape victims. I hope some of them read your story and it inspires them to stop being victims and start being victors.
I agree with your sentiments entirely, Allielcea
I want to add, though, that this is not just a US issue, it is international with even worse consequences in some parts of the world where rape victims are shunned and/or stoned after being made a victim.
What you really mean to say is the culture within certain races.
And, uh.......what would those "certain races" be?
Way to go Heidi. You are amazing. Go forward with life and enjoy.
Heidi you are a hero.
Wow! What an inspiration you are! May you have many years of good life and good love and may you be at his parole hearing. He doesn't look like he's going to learn anything in jail.
WTG, Heidi! You have shown your strength and you are now helping others. You ARE the victor.
This is one of tjhe most couragies person I have ever read about. After working in the court system foe 10+years, this is a greatest outcome I have read. It will lead me to join crime stopper
Wow, talk about a strong woman! I love how she belittled this criminal. Glad she can help others in a similar situation. You go, Heidi!
Makes me wish I was a better serial killer, these are the guys I'd love to set up a kill room for,,,but slowly,,,,hook him up to some IVs' ,,,Castrate him, no anesthesia of course to start with, after a week he'd be praying for death but God would not hear him,, just the demons of hell waiting to continue his torment for eternity...same for any child molester, NAMBLA member or woman beater. I only wish she could have had 5 minutes with him handcuffed in an elevavor with a ball bat and bull prod....I admire her guts.
EXCELLANT!!!!
This brave young lady's story should be tought in school
She's ----ing awesome! If only more women were as strong and truly powerful of character as her. She did win in the end, not even so much because he went away (as good as that is), but because she overcame the attack and didn't allow the negative impact of something that wasn't even her fault to consume her. She put the incident in its proper place, rose up even stronger now than before, and buried his ass! I love seeing when people are able to use their intellect and emotional strength to overcome adversity... it's become quite a rarity in our society.
Some people are just not built to withstand brutality like this and come out whole. I do admire Heidi but I also have compassion for those who are not able to overcome an ordeal that you cannot begin to understand unless you have lived it in your own unique set of circumstances leading up to and after a life changing event like the one she lived through. She is a rarity, but not everyone has the strength and support she has, also she was not raped, the attack was more than should have happened, but it did happen, she is the victor others cannot move from victim, could you? Really? You don't know until it happens to you. Your statement is meant to rightly praise Heidi, but at the same time re-victimizes those who are not as strong or not able to overcome a horrific event in their lives. IMO. I could be wrong, sometimes the written word does not convey the feelings and true meaning of what was said, if so I apologize
I know what you are trying to say Brenda, it all depends on the inner core strength of the victim, as to how well they survive an attack. Some women shut down forever. I know one...I on the other hand survived and actually beat him up when he grabbed me. Later, I saw him in a store, and was shaken to my 'core'...I was trembling, and walked over to a store lady and asked her to talk to me until I regained my composure. When I did, I confronted him, and was going to tell him that I now also carry a gun, and will do ... when he asked me, 'do you still live on Doolittle, and your kids still go to ... elementary?' I realized that he was/had been stalking me before the attack. I was crushed, and walked away, feeling helpless...and defeated. I later saw him in his own car and got the license number, he was captured and was a serial rapist. I had dodged a bullet. I took up martial arts, and learned to defend myself to a degree that I am confident that I will never be touched again by anyone I don't want to touch me. If I had been a weaker person, I would have probably died the first time he attacked me...and, I have never been attacked again. It works for me. However, I am still his victim, because it happened...and I understand what you are saying.
So true, but hopefully these girls (or boys) can get some inspiration from Heidi, and get the help, and closure they need.
Way to go Heidi. You are great!
If only we had more like you in America and millions like you in the Middle East!
I'm glad to see that this animal will now likely suffer the same sexual abuse in prison.
Cut off his pecker... and force feed it to him...
That's the way to do it, Heidi. Good for you. This will break his spirit, knowing that he couldn't cow you. You go, girl!
way to go im glad you were not hurt and had your day to send that scumbag to his new box where he will wish he had learned that no means no lol
I am truly glad that this person was caught and put away, your comment about not being able to forgive printed in the story above did not make it to the video, that I saw. ...forgive is our trespasses as we forgive the trespasses of others. There will never be meaningful peace until this happens
God was never violated by a 'trespasser', he may forgive, but a victim can't... a victim buys a gun and learns to shoot straighter, and takes martial arts to learn to defend herself from the next 'trespasser!' Until men stop molesting and abusing women, there will never be any peace on this earth, forgiving them is not the key to peace, using the death penalty on these monsters is. Old boy will be out in a few years, and will probably rape and murder his next victim...if he was put to death, that would not be possible.
your missing the point she was never a victim she did what all good people do the right thing she stood up and let this scumbag know she was not a victim and he didnt scare her, thats was very brave. and she did it with out lowering herself to his level. and saying you want to shoot or hurt a person only lowers you to there level. and this kind of crime can happen to a man or a woman its not a sex thing its about power and peoples need to hurt others. and thats why she is not saying she needs to buying a gun and shoot someone or heaven forbid missing and hurting some person that sleeping next door.
This is great woman of our time for coming out of such a happening
Sounds like a ripping good book to me. One that could be an inspiration to others. And why not. Everybody writes one. At least she could get something positive out of this among the other things this positive lady has already accomplished.
some men are woman haters, they are chicken s..t animals who attack women, and they don't care about who the person is that they hurt, they have no idea what they are doing to the psyche of their victim...the simple act of an 'attack' is bad enough, it doesn't have to be rape...verbal, physical abuse, like hair pulling, shoving, or other tortures are as bad, if not worse...if done by a loved one or trusted family member, it is much worse! The result of the attack is that it festers inside the victim, like an infected sore, grows larger and more painful over the years, and until they can regroup and gather the strength to hold their head up high and dig down deep inside to solidify their inner core with the help of God and family and friends, some don't survive...others flourish, like this young lady! Please stop the abuse of women and boys...if you were harmed as a child, seek help from anyone who will listen, abuse breeds a continuation of the cycle! Just stop before you harm anyone.
Heidi, I sit here in absolute PRIDE in a person I have never met. You are the "VICTOR" If you could get through that ordeal, and come out of it a stronger more giving and determined woman, the rest of your life you will be a testiment to what a beautiful person you are. If you are ever in Nashville Tn. I'd love to buy you a cup of coffee. Your story made me stronger!
"I have a name that will go on forever. You have a number and the title of the crimes that you've committed." #WIN Thank you Heidi!
Bull@!$%#. Everyone makes this woman out to be a hero for telling a kid that he is 'a failure' and that she will 'never forgive' him? Don't you think the whole sentencing thing kind of emphasizes that enough? And by the way, did everyone ignore the fact that at the time, this CHILD (16) couldn't even bring himself to rape her?
The worst is all of this pseudo compassion. You are SO empathetic that you want to 'castrate' this kid? Or feed him is own penis? Or MURDER him? If anything, the comments are only evidence that there is an inherent violence in ALL people, and that because of that, we need to punish people and then FORGIVE them for their actions, because we are ALL capable of evil and violence.
Get over yourselves.
Bill, what is wrong with you. "This Child" tried to kill her and rape her. 15 and 16 year old kill every day and then say, "I'm just a child, let me go now." You are what is wrong with this society and I can see that in your words. I think you need to read about all these children that murder and destroy others lives.
Yes they are young but that does not give them a free ticket. If you speed or cause and accident on the highway you get a ticket and fine. Are you excused because you don't agree.......NO!
Wow, really? May God rain similar attacks down on YOU, and see how you feel. You're just as worthless as Heidi's attacker. Why don't we dump you in his cell and see how it goes from there?
No, you are what's wrong; people like you who intentionally misquote and misinterpret what someone says whenever a difference of opinion is expressed.
The boy was convicted and sentenced for his crime. The end. The guy did not say let him go because he's 16. But because you're thirsty for this kid's blood, YOU labeled Bill as someone who want's society to look the other way when a kid commits a violent crime. He said nothing like that. Just because he doesn't want to join you in roasting the kid on an open fire doesn't mean he felt he should not be punished. That situation is dramatic enough without people like you reaching for your pitchforks and torches.
OK a--hole - take your little bleeding-heart to the prison the day this bottom-feeder is released and welcome him into your home with open arms. See what your "forgiveness" will get you. He is not and was not a child when he committed this crime - he was and remains a predator. He should never be allowed to see the light of day again because he WILL attack someone once he's free. A bullet is better than he deserves.
Someone has his jockeys in a bunch!
I agree with you. I have been sexually assaulted before. You can be a survivor and victor without attacking the person that harmed you. Anger, resentment and the failure to forgive will only hurt the person with those feelings. The point is that this teenager will be back on the street before he's 30 and unless he gets help and hears some kind words of encouragement, he will rack up more victims. It would have been a better story if she had said that 'I am not the victim; I am the victor; and I forgive you and hope that you can forgive yourself and get the help needed to move forward with a healthy existence'.
It isn't what she said to him Bill, it is that she garnered the courage to stand up in public and say it openly, to his face. I am amazed that the court allowed her to do it. You would have to be a woman to understand what it feels like to be choked unconsious, done what ever to you, and then abused by having your clothing removed, leaving you naked and available for anyone coming along to see...the degredation alone would drive some women to suicide. This was most likely his first attempt at rape, he probably was interrupted and had to run away. It also won't be his last...once released, he will be more angry and hating of women, and will do more to others. Sexual crimes are not understood by men, ya'll all think women really 'want it'...guess what, we will tell you 'yes' if we do. and yes, we are all capable, you have to control your desires and violent actions, failure to should result in the death of the perpetrator. No fake empathy here, thank you!
Oh, you're a psychic and a psychiatrist? I'm impressed. You're implying so many things that you have absolutely NO clue about. At 16, this kid may actually be redeemable. I hope that while he's in jail he thinks about what she said to him and thinks about how he scarred her mind and spirit and turns his life around.
I am glad she didn't let this attack ruin her life but did anyone here notice that this BOY got 15 years for this? Now I have seen ADULTS get less time for ACTUAL MURDER than this KID got. Keep in mind, he did not rape her. There are grown men who have committed ACTUAL RAPE; brutal rapes who got less than 10 years for their crimes. Even sex offenders who have committed crimes again children do less time than 15 years. What was it about THIS kid that made a 15 year sentence applicable? She's white/ he's black. Nobody wants to admit the truth about difference in treatment of black defendants in the "justice" system. They all wanna call it 'race-baiting' or whatever but something is very very off about that kid's sentence. You all want to turn a blind eye to that.
And, maybe, the inability to hire an expensive lawyer...
This story is a tragedy on many levels... Starting with the crime, and ending with the frustrated, angry, blood-thirsty, grammatically impaired, "my ignorance is as good as your knowledge" commentators.
Sorry for all involved (at all those many levels); God bless you all...
Peace everyone; live, and let live...
It's a start.
your an idiot bill. so, because he was 16, he didn't understand what he was doing? are you for real dude? how about if he was 18. oh, thats right, now he understands it's not ok to choke people and remove their clothes. i get it now. you have the brains that god gave a brick!
Yeah, you sound sooo much more intelligent than a brick by showing your inability to disagree without resorting to childish name calling at a complete stranger. *rolls eyes*