A Rape Survivor’s Humble Prayer!

Heavenly God, I am in desperate need of your aid during these dark days. I’m crying out to you God, “HELP ME FATHER!” Heal my mind, body, and soul from the pain evil has inflicted. Touch the hearts and minds of those who read this. Bless them with the strength to lift me out of the darkness. Provide them with the means to help stabilize me, while you guide me into the light. God, through your grace and mercy all things are possible and, right now Lord, I know you will make me financially whole and stable again. Thank you for Blessing me through everything I’m going through. Thank you for giving me the courage to ask for help. In Jesus name. Amen!

Hello, my name is Amber Todd, Mother of four College Daughters, and recent survivor of abduction, robbery, sexual assault and trafficking, physical assault, and rape. As hard as this is, I am humbly asking for help raising as close to $12,500 as possible. This is just a portion of what was stolen, but it would allow me to get back on my feet and have a safe place ready for the daughters to come visit on Winter break.

As hard as recounting my story is, I do so in hopes that it will provide an understanding into the desperate nature of my situation. Additionally, I hope my sharing will give other survivors the strength to share their stories as well. Further, I apologize in advance if the pictures or story are triggering to anyone, that is not my intention by any means.

My Story begins with an empty nest and the celebrated flight of my last two baby birds off to college. Set to start this new chapter in my life, I moved to Las Vegas with my partner fully prepared to establish residency and explore new possibilities. We managed to save quite a bit preparing for the time and costs associated with relocation and together we set off on this new adventure. Little did we know adventures can turn into nightmares quickly, especially in Las Vegas. 

I arrived in Las Vegas about ‪July 27th‬, meeting my partner who had driven our truck up. Upon arrival, one of my most valuable pieces of luggage was “lost,” which kept my vital documents, expensive clothes and jewelry. We reported it to the airline and continued with our plans. Our priority was obtaining safe and secure housing and begin working until we finalized our courses of study for our new career endeavors. About a week into apartment hunting, we came out from the hotel room and found our truck was stolen. The truck was parked right in front of the hotel, yet staff did not see nor were there cameras to rely on. We made a report with Metro Police who advised this was a common occurrence and that our vehicle “should pop up on the side of the road,” once the gas runs out. Given the newly added cost of Uber and Lyfts we decided to move to a lower priced hotel located on Fremont street.

The afternoon of ‪August 5‬, while my partner was tending to her family, I decided to explore Fremont street. Not considering the impact of all the flashing lights and distractions could play on my seizures, I continue my way down Fremont mesmerized by all the action. Somewhere along the way I had a seizure and lost consciousness. I woke up naked in a tent covered in blood, dirt, and flies. I was held for several days, only able to eat or drink what my abductor’s provided. While my memory is fuzzy through much of this due to drugs later found as a part of my rape kit, I do know my abductors were was couple (a man and a woman). The man would take pictures of me and show them to men at different locations. He basically rented me, so to speak, to the highest paying man while the woman would watch me to prevent my escape.

After several days, I stopped eating or drinking what was provided and began burying or pouring everything out in the dirt. Two days later, in the early morning hours, still cloaked darkness, I quietly grabbed me shoes and dead phone. My wallet, with all my cards and cash, were gone along with my clothes. I found some pants and a shirt in their garbage pile, quickly put on the clothes. I tiptoed barefoot quietly through gravel until I came to a paved road. Once on pavement, I slipped my bloody feet into my shoes and walked until I found a 24 hour Subway sandwich shop where the staff called 911. I was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report and rape kit were completed, which was traumatic in its own right. In addition to the rape kit, I was provided a rape crisis advocate here in Las Vegas to assist me through this very difficult time. On August 16, after being hospitalized and transfused, I entered into a rape crisis shelter for housing while the Bank and Police investigations were started. To Date, nothing has been provided regarding the Metro Investigation and the Bank still has yet to reimburse the money stating they are unable to coordinate with the Police.

After almost two months in the shelter persistently following up with Police, the Bank, my rape crisis advocated, my shelter and housing advocates, I began a job at a local store located down the street from the shelter. My hope was that this coupled with therapy would aid in the healing process. I worked for a couple of weeks during which time one of the customers had developed an unhealthy liking towards me. After several derogatory comments from the customer, I brought it up to my manager. I explained to him how uncomfortable the sexual harassment was and why. The manager advised me and I quote “just flirt with him, you’ll get better tips.” I explained to my manager I was extremely uncomfortable, especially working swing shift and late hours, but nothing was done.

The night of November 7th/morning of November 8th I was working the late shift. The same customer in question was in the store harassing me as he did on a daily basis. I asked the customer to please stop. I explained to him respectfully that I was not interested in men and was in a committed relationship with my partner. He stormed out of the store, mumbling disparaging and homophobic comments. I got off work at about 12:30/1:00am and began to take my normal route back to the shelter. About two blocks from the safety of the shelter a car pull up along side of me and, before I knew what was happening, I was pushed down into the gravel of a vacant lot. The assailant held me head hard in the gravel while pulling down my pants and sexually assaulting me. Gravel and rocks dug into my face, arms and legs. He turned me over and finish his assault.

Through one eye I was able to identify him as the customer from the store before going into a seizure. A passerby saw the car speed off and me seizing in the dirt and gravel, naked from the waist down. She called 911 and I was transported to the hospital, but not before going with the Police to the store to try to get a clear ID and license plate number from the cameras. Unfortunately, we were advised by the manager that the cameras were broken. Needless to say I no longer work for this company. I was hospitalized from the 8th through December 1st, having received several blood transfusions during this period as well. My lip had to be stitched back together and back to my face, my forehead was stitched shut, my left eye and eye socket were damaged, and my tooth was knocked out (after picture displays the extent of my facial injuries). Several pieces of gravel were removed from my body leaving open wounds that I have still have to dress twice daily. Since my assailant has not been captured, I was released to a different shelter, which is where I am currently residing.

These violent and disturbing events have taken a toll on both my partner and I. My partner has asked for time to herself, unable to manage my problems and her own. Unfortunately, that leaves me in Las Vegas with nothing and no one. I say this not to reflect badly on her, she has her reasons for leaving, I’m saying it to demonstrate to all how dire my situation is. However, there is light in all of this darkness. I was able to find safe housing and my dream job working with youth at residential treatment houses throughout the City of Las Vegas, finally utilizing my degrees! This is where all of you can help. I need help gathering the money for the deposit and other needed household necessities. Again, I am humbly asking for help raising as close to $12,500 as possible. My goal is to get the house ready for my daughters and send for them to come visit for my Birthday December 27th, while they are still on winter break.

Thank you all for your support!

Amber Todd - Survivor!