Rape Survivor Pens Powerful Op-Ed Aimed at Anti-Gun Colorado Lawmakers: 'Don't Re-Victimize Me With Your Legislation

Editor's note: The content of this story is centered around an instance of rape and therefore will be disturbing to some readers.

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After surviving the unthinkable act of rape, Kimberly Weeks is bravely speaking out and telling her story in hopes that anti-gun Colorado lawmakers will rethink efforts to "re-victimize" her through gun control legislation. Specifically, Weeks wants the right to carry the firearm she is licensed to carry on her college campus so she is not defenseless against an attacker.

In a powerful op-ed published on RevealingPolitics.com, Weeks tells her tragic story and makes an impassioned plea to gun-grabbing politicians in Colorado.

During the unbearable hours of my attack, I was painfully aware of what was happening. I wish I could have shut down – but I didn’t. I started doing whatever I could do to survive. I was fighting for my life.

During the assault, I lied and told my attacker I had herpes, which did not nothing to deter him. I told him I was claustrophobic, hoping he would move the shirt just enough so I could identify him later – if I survived. I asked to use the restroom saying I might wet myself, but he repeatedly denied my requests.

I was doing everything I could to escape – doing everything I could to stop the horrific violence that was being forced upon me. I did everything I could – and I prayed it would be enough.

Time was running out, so despite the pain, anger, and fear that was coursing through my body, I tried one more thing: I started talking and kept him engaged in conversation for the next hour as I watched the sun rise through my bedroom window.

Others that could help were so close, yet so very far away. No one else knew what was happening to me. It was lonely and terrifying.

I convinced my rapist that I would not report his actions, that I was too embarrassed, and I even told him that I forgave him. I told him everyone makes mistakes. When he asked if he could get a drink of water from my kitchen, I directed him to the wrong cabinet, hoping he would leave fingerprints behind. When he left to get a drink, I was alone in my bedroom. I frantically glanced around and saw my cell phone, a knife, a hammer, and other various tools sitting on my bookcase headboard from unpacking the night before. I knew I could not physically overpower him with any of those objects if he came back.

After what felt like an eternity, I saw something that I never thought I’d live to see – he walked out the front door.

I had survived.

She then pleaded with Colorado lawmakers not to strip her of the right to carry the weapon she is licensed to carry on her college campus. Colorado is currently considering seven gun control bills, including a ban on concealed carry on college campuses and a ban on high-capacity magazines.

"I ask – no, I beg – each Colorado Senator to stop ignoring the voices of citizens like me. Don’t re-victimize me with your legislation," Weeks writes.

"Please, Colorado, don’t disarm me with your vote."

To read her entire op-ed on RevealingPolitics.com, click here.

Featured image via shutterstock.com