Kimberly Corban, rape survivor and 2nd Amendment advocate, is taking her story to college campuses

On May 12, 2006, a man silently broke into 20-year-old Kimberly Corban's home through a window. Creeping his way into her room where she slept, he placed a black shirt over her face, and proceeded to carry out the gruesome crime he had been planning for some time.

Corban suffered immense emotional trauma from the ordeal, and only through quick thinking on her part was she able to keep herself from any further harm, as well do what was necessary to make sure her rapist was caught.

Her story doesn't end there, however. Instead of just becoming another victim, Corban decided to use her experience to become a voice for women with stories just like hers.

Since then, she has testified to politicians, spoken to large crowds and even confronted a president on live TV. Corban made her most traumatic experience into fuel, turning her into a powerhouse.

But now, Corban is taking her message of empowerment on the road to college campuses.

Corban is no stranger to the campus crowd, however. As she told TheBlaze, speaking on college campuses is "getting back to my roots."

"My very first speeches were always on campuses," she told TheBlaze. "College classes, high schools, were my primary crowd all for the first 3 or 4 years. Each time they got a little bit different and I learned more about what that group wanted to know. It helped me tailor what I was talking about." 

"This is my bread and butter. These are the people I want to advocate for," she said.

Corban's message is indeed a unique one. On top of being a voice for victims of sexual assault, and a strong line of support, Corban is also a strong advocate of the Second Amendment, and often stresses the importance of women utilizing that right to better defend themselves. In fact, her advocacy was such that she and then President Barack Obama had a back and forth discussion over it on television.

Despite this, Corban isn't turning this into a focus on firearms, but of defense against occurrences like hers.

"I know for a fact that some expected a crazy gun crowd," Corban told TheBlaze. "A woman was surprised to find it’s not what I was."

"My goal isn’t to have people walking away supporting one side or another," she added. "Just listen to my phone call, hear my story, and then they can decide for themselves.

"But I really enjoy changing minds," she continued. "To have the opportunity to impart how self defense is important to women is huge." 

Her talks tend to focus on certain aspects of being a recovering victim. Coping mechanisms, trauma, vicarious trauma, advocacy efforts, and the like are subjects Corban focuses on. All things she's become highly familiar with during her journey. 

What Corban really looks forward to, however, is the connection she makes with those she speaks to. Corban often allows for time after her speeches to take questions, which is unique opportunity. It's not often that women with stories such as hers are so open to talking about their experience.

"The majority of the questions I get revolve around shame," she told TheBlaze. "How it can affect your relationships going forward with husbands, boyfriends, and people around you."

Corban's speeches are so popular that she has told TheBlaze she is booked through fall, however, she's willing to be flexible.

If you want to book Corban for your school or university, go to  KimberlyCorban.com. You can also follow Corban on her Twitter account here, and like her Facebook page here.