In the News

Vocal rape victim is a ‘beacon of hope’ to others
By Edward Mason
Boston Herald
Monday, March 15, 2010

A rape victim who went public in a suit against her alleged assailant and the owner of the garage where she was attacked is a “beacon of hope” to other victims, an anti-sexual assault advocate said yesterday.

“Her decision to reveal herself can be a healing step for herself and a beacon of hope for women who continue to suffer in silence,” said Toni Troop, a spokeswoman with Jane Doe Inc., of Kira Wahlstrom.

The Herald reported yesterday that Wahlstrom, who was raped last year in a Theater District garage, is suing garage-owner Radisson Hotel and manager Laz Parking Ltd. for failing to alert patrons of a “known danger” there.

She’s also suing her alleged rapist, Jose Rueben Rivera III.

Troop said Wahlstrom’s decision to go public shows “we’ve come so far - that it’s not the rape victim who should feel guilty.”

And, she added, it’s important because many rape victims are too scared to come forward.

“They fear not being believed or that they’ll be blamed,” Troop said.

Wahlstrom, 36, had left work and was heading to her car when she was allegedly dragged by her hair by Rivera to a garage stairwell and raped.

She was the second person raped at the parking garage in less than a month, according to police. Rivera, 24, is also a suspect in an April 19 rape, according to police.

He is being held at Bridgewater State Hospital awaiting trial on 11 counts of rape and assault.