On March 3, 1989, Debbie Smith was abducted from her Williamsburg, Virginia home while her husband, a police officer, slept upstairs. The masked assailant dragged her into the woods, raped her repeatedly and threatened to return if she told anyone. Six years later, forensic scientists matched the sample collected during Smith’s original rape exam to a man serving time in Virginia for abducting and robbing two other women. The perpetrator was sentenced to two life terms plus 25 years in prison. This closure provided the assurance Smith needed to feel safe and begin healing. Now, she travels around the United States through her non-profit organization, H-E-A-R-T Inc., to provide assistance to sexual assault victims and advocate for the expanded use of DNA resources.
Debbie Smith – Virginia
October 7, 2016
Written by dnasaves2k16