Overcoming fear: Rape survivor hopes telling her story will help others

"We need to start believing and trusting victims, and supporting them through their journey because this is a very difficult trauma to get through," she said.

M.L. said she found the support she needed from family, close friends, the Carbon County victim advocate, police and prosecutors. 

"You always will have help, always," she said. "They can keep you safe. They can help you put the person away."

M.L. faced Shaw when he was sentenced to prison last week, describing her ordeal to the judge and referring to her attacker as "sick" and "pathetic." 

Shaw was ordered to serve at least 15 years in prison for the kidnapping charge, and given concurrent sentences of five years to life in prison for the rape, sodomy and burglary charges. Prosecutors expect him to serve 24 years before he gets his first chance at parole.

M.L. plans to be at all of Shaw's parole hearings to ensure "he never gets out to do this to anyone else." In the meantime, she plans to pursue recovery in her own way.

"I think the best way for me to heal is to help other people," she said, "so that's what I'm going to start doing. I'm going to start helping classes at (Utah State University Eastern), telling my story and helping other people."

E-mail: gliesik@desnews.com

Twitter: GeoffLiesik