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OREM -- A 19-year-old Utah Valley University student who was brutally beaten and raped near her Provo apartment earlier this summer is recovering, but progress is slow and the expenses are piling up well beyond what her insurance will cover.
UVU Professor Ron Hammond says most students and faculty members at the school don't know the girl personally, but the entire campus has felt the impact of what happened.
"The intensity of the attack and the magnitude of the violence meted out against her was almost so intense it raised a call to arms. All of us felt like we wanted to do something," Hammond says.
On June 9, police say the woman was approached by Shawn Leonard while she was walking on a trail next to Branbury Apartments in Provo.
There was a struggle, and police say Leonard beat the woman with a rock and piece of cement, attempted to strangle her, and then raped her and left her for dead.
Leonard was later arrested and charged with the crime.
On Aug. 10, Hammond says a number of groups around campus are joining together to raise awareness and a show the woman they all support her.
The event will include speeches about dating violence and rape prevention, and there will be a self-defense class.
Students will also be holding bake sales and a rummage sale to try and raise funds to help the woman cover her medical expenses.
"The attack was so intense that it exceeded personal insurance and the victim's reparation fund within the first few weeks," Hammond says. "The Provo Survivor's Fund was set up so that her family does not have to suffer more financial hardship than it already has, and so that she, herself, can just focus on recovering."
Two accounts for donations have been set up under the name Provo Survivors Fund at Zions Bank and Utah Community Credit Union.*
"There are people here, people she does not even know, who are saying, 'We don't agree with what happened, and we don't want you to think that for a minute that you are alone,'" Hammond says. "We want to be there for her."
Hammond says the students will also be calling on the alleged suspect to take responsibility for what happened and start the efforts to turn his life around.
Anyone wanting to join the effort can contact Hammond at ronh@uvu.edu.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
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*KSL.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does KSL.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
