She survived only by jumping off a balcony (covered in bruises and with her face wrapped in Saran wrap), and running for help — fortunately, her son was not at home. To make matters worse, the judge was not supportive of her case, and the attacker (having been jailed for only a few months) is still at large today (the attack took place - in Irvine - in 2002).
Having been both a victim of the crime and of the legal system, and stating that "long after the external bruises heal, the 'internal bruising' continues", Patricia has dedicated herself to increasing awareness about these terrible crimes. She founded Crime Survivors (www.crimesurvivors.com) to provide tips on how to avoid being a victim, tools on how to survive the after-effects, and to advocate for changes in the laws that currently give the criminal more rights than the victim.
You can read Patricia's story (and those of other victims), learn more about the work of Crime Survivors, and learn how you can help by:
- Visiting the Crime Survivors website (www.crimesurvivors.com)
- Telling other people about this organization and arrange for a speaker to give a presentation
- Participating or sponsoring the 5th Annual Crime Survivors 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, October 11, at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, CA (www.crimesurvivorsrunwalk.org).
- Voting for Marsy’s Law: Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008 (learn more at www.marsyslaw.org)
- Giving a donation (any amount is welcome, but $50 will provide an Emergency Survival Bag in your name for a child or adult (containing comfort items, necessities, and materials to help them through their case)
- Asking a survivor if there is anything you can do for them - don't shy away from them, nor ask them for details they may not want to share
