In May of 2018, Ronda’s ex-boyfriend broke into her house and attacked her, assaulting her physically and sexually. She thought he was going to kill her. He erased the damning messages he left on her landline phone, then pulled the cord out of the wall and smashed her cell phone before leaving. When she thought he was gone, she belly-crawled to the phones, terrified that he was still around (he had a habit of stalking her before the attack). She eventually got through to the police when she realized she could plug the landline back in.

Police from two area agencies arrived, got the information and got Ronda to the hospital while they went out to find the assailant. He was arrested that night and held. Unfortunately, a few days later he was released on bond despite the danger he posed to Ronda. This was only the beginning of the many ways the criminal system made it clear that they were not going to protect Ronda.

Much of what happened after is truly unbelievable, but I have supported her through the over-seven years and saw it with my own eyes. Each step of the way when the criminal system could have done something to create some accountability, they didn’t. The offender was supposed to tell the court when he moved, but he didn’t do it. He was supposed to check in with the police department in the town in which he was living but he didn’t do that either. When the state found out he wasn’t doing it, he was court-ordered to do an intake for programming. He never did it. And there were no consequences.

For seven years, the perpetrator’s lawyers stalled, coming up with every excuse to delay the case. But Ronda didn’t give in. She knew that having him incarcerated was the only thing that would allow her to feel safe ever again. Every day she lived in fear that he would come back and “finish the job”, i.e., kill her. Sleeping was terrifying.

Finally in June the case went to trial and he was found guilty of felony sexual assault and is incarcerated. Sentencing was supposed to happen in August but was continued until October.

Throughout the seven years waiting for the trial to happen, Ronda’s health has been severely impacted. Her diabetes has been difficult to control due to the stress and trauma. She has missed a lot of work as a result. Most people would not have been able to maintain a job throughout all this, but Ronda has. She is one of the most dependable, funny, strong and kind people I have ever met. This last set back having to wait for sentencing has been tough. She thought the end was here, but once again, it’s not. She lives very simply but she is now in danger of losing her wonderful little home because she has gotten behind on bills.

Please help!!!!!