Woman rowing for breast-cancer survivors is sexually assaulted, vows to continue journey

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Chicago woman rowing to raise money for breast cancer survivors says she was sexually assaulted during trip.

/ WWMT

(CBS/WWMT/AP) TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Five weeks ago, a 27-year-old Chicago woman set off on a 1,500-mile rowing journey on Lake Michigan to raise money for breast cancer survivors, blogging along the way.

Police say someone following her voyage online may have used the information to harm her in a sexual assault.

The alleged victim, Jenn Gibbons, says she decided to blog about the attack, too, writing, "I know that I had a choice in telling people about the details of my attack, particularly that it was a sexual assault. To go through this at all, let alone publicly, is extremely difficult."

CBS affiliate WWMT reported on the blog's shocking change of storyline.

Police say Gibbons, who set off on June 15, was sexually assaulted about 4 a.m. Sunday in the vessel's cabin while moored along the shore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The station reported she's going public about the ordeal to help catch the assailant and send a message of strength to others who've been assaulted.

According to WWMT, state police investigators near where the attack happened in St. Ignace said the assailant may have traveled a significant distance.

Gibbons is co-founder of a rowing team for breast cancer survivors. She was making the trip to raise money for new boats. Originally from Battle Creek, Mich., she planned for the excursion to be the first solo rowing trip from Illinois to Michigan along the lake's entire perimeter.

Gibbons says she will finish her journey, now by bike and boat. But she'll no longer travel alone.

She blogged, "I still believe that life is a gift, even when it's scary and unfair," she wrote. "I still believe that life offers us the privilege, the opportunity, and the responsibility, to give something back, even when people try to take things away from us."

The suspect is described as a white male in his 30s, approximately 5'8" to 6'0" tall, with a fair amount of facial stubble. He's said to have light eyes, an average to athletic build and short, well-kept hair.

He was wearing a grayish-green T-shirt, jean shorts and tennis shoes.

A bright yellow Jeep Wrangler was seen in the area, with a spare tire on the back and a tire cover bearing a yellow smiley face on it.

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by manningTim July 26, 2012 2:57 PM EDT

Thugs though WILL listen to a gun. That's unfortunate but true. However, she would have to know how to use one and also when to use it appropriately. She would have to have gotten the jump on him before he got too close, displayed the gun but not fired it, and warned him not to come closer. Still, it's a big court mess and he may still have been able to sue her if she shot him.

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by enough-already August 15, 2012 4:48 PM EDT: He couldn't very well sue her if he was DEAD, now could he?

by matt6052 July 26, 2012 11:41 AM EDT

She is a very unsympathetic victim.

Sure, she committed no crime by publishing her unsecured location each night on the internet. The man who sexually assaulted her committed a crime. But her own victimization was so easy to prevent that I just can't see why anyone would send her money for her cause.

I never leave my keys in my car or my bike unlocked. Why? Because I do not want to make it so easy for a young person to become a car thief or bike thief.

If you simply want to prove that men are pigs, let a boyfriend take some nude photos of you and see how long it takes for them to appear on the internet!

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by WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING July 26, 2012 2:05 PM EDT: So let me understand what you're trying to say. She was asleep on HER BOAT and this slim ball broke into HER BOAT. So if someone breaks into YOUR HOUSE and sexually assaults you it is your fault because YOUR ADDRESS was listed in the phone book.


by matt6052 July 26, 2012 2:37 PM EDT: I never said it was her fault. She committed no crime. Her assailant is the criminal.

She is an unsympathetic victim. As a child when my bike was stolen after I left it unlocked, there was no outpouring of sympathy to my victimization or outrage. I should have locked my bike. Are you saying that it served me right to have my bike stolen just because I left it unlocked?

All her photos online show that she's really pretty. My bike was shiny and new. She and I were both crime victims.

If you want to prove that men are pigs, just let one take some nude photos of you and then see how long it takes before they're posted online.


by WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING July 26, 2012 5:39 PM EDT: And why is she an unsympathetic victim, she is just a victim. Just like the ones who get raped when they go out on the town and some person assaults them.
When you bike got stolen did you also get raped?


by gmc124 August 15, 2012 7:08 PM EDT: The lady is a saint and you are making a ridiculous argument that she shouldn't have publicized her location. This is America and idiots like her assailant need to be taken off of the streets. I have great sympathy for her and people like you make it hard for ladies like her to even tell their stories.

by Colt4542 July 26, 2012 10:24 AM EDT

When traveling alone always be prepared to protect yourself - whether from a four legged animal or a two legged one.

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by Well_You_Aint_Me July 26, 2012 11:35 AM EDT: And to think many want to prevent you from doing just that via "gun control".


by erasmus111 July 26, 2012 2:27 PM EDT: by Well_You_Aint_Me July 26, 2012 11:35 AM EDT
And to think many want to prevent you from doing just that via "gun control".

Oh please! There are other ways to protect yourself. You do not need a gun. How about trying some COMMON SENSE. In this case, how about not advertising where you are? How about not traveling ALONE?

You gun nuts are such wimps. No thought process going on between the ears. The solution to all problems is that gun!

Let me give you a few details on something else. Do you know how many home invasions could have been prevented by just not opening the door without looking out first? By just keeping the doors or windows LOCKED??

All it takes is some common sense. Something you idiots seem to lack.

by wildkid007 July 26, 2012 9:41 AM EDT

Is Jenn still blogging her remote locations at night? Seems like Jenn was a little too naive about things in the real world.

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by Teddie Seeley July 26, 2012 10:14 AM EDT: I hope you aren't blaming her for the attack.
It says she is no longer alone, thank goodness.


by Rafterman11 July 26, 2012 10:31 AM EDT: I agree that blaming the victim is disgusting (not saying that wildkid007 was doing that). But the truth is, women have to be more careful and protect themselves as much as possible. What she did was not smart, with all the weirdos running around.