Jenn Gibbons completes 1,500-mile Lake Michigan row for cancer survivors after sex assault

Jenn Gibbons,27, as she completes a 1,500 mile rowing trip around Lake Michigan to raise money for an organization helping cancer survivors, Aug. 14, 2012 / AP

(AP) CHICAGO — Jenn Gibbons wanted to control her emotions when she rowed into Chicago, determined to complete her 1,500-mile trip around Lake Michigan despite being sexually assaulted aboard her boat in Michigan's Upper Peninsula nearly a month ago.

But when she saw her supporters waving and cheering from the shore Tuesday, including the cancer survivors for whom she was rowing, the toughness that pulled her through the waves and the emotions began to melt.

"I was smiling, then I was happy, then I started crying when I saw the team," she said, referring to Recovery on Water, or ROW, the rowing team she co-founded for breast cancer survivors that promotes exercise to reduce the chance of reoccurrence.

Dozens of supporters greeted the 27-year-old as she rowed into the harbor at the Chicago Yacht Club, blue skies and light winds welcoming her home. When asked about the assault, she said she felt no lingering bitterness and had full confidence in investigators looking for her attacker.

"I still believe that there are a lot more good people in the world than bad," she said, adding that she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received, including being given a Chicago flag by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The mayor wrote on the flag, "You've got this," in honor of Gibbons' voyage motto.

The trip helped raise $113,000, which ROW volunteers said they hoped would help them raise awareness about the group and purchase more boats. The group includes 50 women ranging in age from their 30s to their 70s.

This police sketch shows the suspect wanted in connection with the reported sexual assault of Jenn Gibbons.

/ AP

Gibbons came forward about her assault shortly after it happened on July 22, in part, she said, to help police find her attacker. She said she was sleeping alone in her boat on an isolated stretch of the Upper Peninsula when she was surprised and sexually assaulted by a man who had crept on board. Michigan State Police are still looking for the man, whom they suspect may have tracked her movements through her blog.

After the assault, alternate plans were made to ensure her safety in Michigan's more remote areas. Gibbons and a small group of supporters rode bicycles together for about 350 miles to Muskegon, Mich., where she was reunited with her boat for the remainder of the journey.

Gibbons acknowledged that she has a lot of healing ahead of her and said she hasn't fully come to terms with the prospect of becoming a spokeswoman for victims of sexual assault. She's considering writing a book to help in the process, noting the piles of notes she took during her trip.

"I've been an advocate for exercise and breast cancer for years, I feel very comfortable being that person. This is talking about something I don't necessarily know how to talk about yet," she said.

"It's really hard to share all of the really good things and all of the really bad things that happened because you open yourself up, and you are extremely vulnerable to what people are going to think about you," she added. "I have a lot of healing to do, a lot of things I need to dig into."

[unclebernies]

This low life rapist needs to be taught a lesson. I'd tie him to the bottom of the boat and waterboard his sorry behind.

[train99]

I looked up sexual assault on the net and still don't really get a clear picture. Covers a lot of ground. So what did happen?
I'm sorry - and I know this will encourage more rage among people on this board - but , wow, look at those legs!
A frustrated rejected guy comes along and sees her lying in a boat.. Maybe, just lost it.

[TimeToEvolve]

It does not matter why when a serious crime like this is committed. Hopefully they can find the sick criminal and put him out of his misery.

[TimeToEvolve]

I did not mean that WOMEN would attack men. If men were attacked, then these crimes would stop. Meanwhile, we should all do everything we can to crack down on these criminals.

[MomsHugs]

Posters who prefer to blame victims need reminding that it does not matter where this woman was. Sociopathic killers/rapists could live next door or break into their victims' homes, including women & men as well as children. This man falls into that category & must be found - which is the point of this article, folk!

[test43]

is she kidding me, what does she expect, she asked for it.

some people have no common sense, why is she sleeping alone on a boat in the middle of no where naked.

Im not surprised with the out-come

[enough-already]

Boy, talk about an AMATEUR troll! You should be embarassed, fool!

[emelder2]

What a terribly backward and stupid comment. Seriously?

[enough-already]

Jeez, what an incredible woman. First of all, to commit to rowing a boat 1500 miles (that's a LONG way to row a boat),and then for having such an unbelievable attitude after being sexually assaulted. God bless her forever. She is amazing, that's all I can say. Wow!

[charleskaye]

There's always some jackwagon that has to take advantage of other people. I hope they find the guy and cut off his tentacles.

[enough-already]

I hope they cut off his testicles. That's what they should do to ALL rapists.

[cynandwyn]

Reading these comments, I am in disbelief at some of the comments. I would like to say to those who don't believe her or think that she's trying to make more for her cause etc. If she is not lying then THERE IS A RAPIST OUT THERE A SICK FREAK AND RATHER THEN YOU FOCUSING ON CATCHING THIS LOW LIFE YOU ARE PORTRAYING HER AS ONE. All of you doing this shame on you. Eventually it all comes out in the wash and until you have proof she's lying I'd weigh on the side of LOOKING FOR THE RAPIST....

[nohater]

easy now, people are entitled to their opinion which includes whether they believe the woman or not.

[MomsHugs]

nohater: People are NOT entitled to post offensive comments intended to inflame emotions negatively. CBS Rules of Engagement for people who post comments include:

"no insulting groups or individuals"
"comments should be polite and civil."
"CBSNews.com absolutely reserve the right to remove posts we think break any of the rules or the spirit of the rules and we reserve the right to ban individuals from commenting."

[meme-stryker]

Unfortunately, psychopaths and sociopaths occur at predictable rates even in cultures that don't purposely create sociopathic behavior (sanctioned calls to kill or rape certain people, for example). I am very sorry the sexual assault occurred, because it is there in her memory even after she heals, and occasionally the memory will be reexperienced to some extent. I'm sure she was exhausted and sound asleep when the perp attacked. Animal cunning with sociopathy is a nasty combination.

[TimeToEvolve]

You can bet that if men could be assaulted by women, there would be a serious crackdown on these crimes.

[midvale3]

Oh, women could assault men, but I don't think most men would be too upset.

[nohater]

doubt men would be upset if sexually assaulted by a female unless the female was extremely unattractive to them.