Where were you Sunday afternoon? Many of us are fortunate enough to be with family, resting, or enjoying Sunday football. Most New Orleanians on October 9th were watching Taysom Hill make 4 touch downs as the Saints beat the Seahawks.

Survivor “X” was working. At 1:15pm, she was sweeping a client’s front porch when a man approached. Politely declining the conversation, she turned to go back inside. It is then the man went onto the porch and aggressively pushed her inside the house. “X” was brutally attacked in the hall, and the man attempted to rape her. “X” fought. She fought hard, being punched and bitten, but she was able to prevent the rape. Screaming and pleading for her life, the man grew more angry. He wrapped his hands around her neck, squeezing hard in attempt to take her last breath. He is still at large.

“X” survived, but she is left with a badly beaten body, and even worse, severe mental and psychological trauma. Dark bruises remain on her chest and throat, and she has difficulty speaking and eating. Her food is thinned. Her hands are severely swollen and she can’t hold things. She has stitches, bruises and contusions all over her body. She is scared to leave her home, or open the door. She can not work. To feel safe, family and friends stay with her. She has good days and some really bad days. Her memories come and go, and she fights every minute of every day to stay in the now, and look to the future.

Our names are Katherine Sauska and Sarah Hillery, and “X” is a great friend. We have independently known her nearly fifteen years each. She has helped us in our homes, with our children, and is there for us even when we don't know we need her. Her daughter is friends with our daughters. She, and her family, have become our family, and she is a woman we trust more than almost anyone. We want to help “X” as she has helped us and so many others.

“X” is a woman of faith, family, friendship and service. She is honest, kind, and the epitome of integrity. She puts the needs of others in front her own, so much so she works every day to provide for her family and the community she serves. Even on Sundays.

A mother of two daughters (one still living at home), a wife, and a grandmother, “X” needs our help. While we continue to search for this violent, dangerous man, in a time with little police resources and political chaos, “X” and her family are suffering. Unable to work, her bills will go unpaid. Unable to use her hands, she can’t cook meals or care for her home and family. Medical bills from this horrific event will not be small. She needs help getting her daughter to school. More than that, she and her family need therapy to get through this traumatic event. The time it will take to recover is unknown. While the physical wounds disappear, survivors of this kind of trauma will experience weeks, months and even years of mental anguish, especially without the economic means to get therapy and to take the time needed to heal. Knowing the man is still out there only makes it worse.

This go fund me is for her. The funds will be used entirely to help “X” and her family get through this event. It will be used to help alleviate the financial stress of daily bills, meals, transportation, chores, medical bills and to provide therapy for she and her family.

Rape survivors often struggle with guilt and shame preventing them to share their stories. “X” dealt with her own version of these feelings, but as we rally around her, she has agreed to share her story publicly. She has even agreed to use her name, but per advise from officers we have hidden her name. Being the beautiful soul she is, she wants to do so to help other women. She wants women to know they must be safe. She wants them to know that a busy street, or a nice neighborhood, or the time of day doesn’t make you safe. We must keep guard, always. If sharing her story can help others, and we in turn can help her, perhaps we all can make the world a little bit better.

Please consider helping “X”, her family, and all the lives she touches. Every little bit helps.

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