My name is Rachel Sines. I work as a Project Manager in Central FL where I live with my husband and daughter. I am a survivor of a sexual assault and kidnapping following an armed break-in of my home in 2007. My assailant was found, tried, and convicted of 10 felony counts with a handgun. He was initially sentenced to four life sentences and 62 consecutive years in prison because of the severity of the crime.
Everyone’s timing and path to healing is their own. I was incredibly lucky to start my path from ground zero. I attribute a lot of this to every person that touched my case. I was never questioned from the moment I first uttered the words, “I was raped.” Not a lot of victims can say this, unfortunately. I was also lucky to have community resources that not only provided me with the necessary exam for evidence in my future case, but also with follow-up therapy and trial advocacy. My journey to considering myself a thriver and not just a survivor was not always smooth and definitely had its rocky moments. I battled with the universe and why this had to happen to me constantly and in many ways. But I had an incredible support system that I fell back on countless times. Little by little I was able to find myself again, and those pesky triggers became farther and fewer between.
Now, I never hesitate to tell my story because I believe that speaking out takes back the power from the offender and the event. I take every opportunity to advocate for victims and others seeking a path to healing in order to create something positive from such a dark event.