Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Charity Rower Pushes on in Wake of Sex Assault

Continuing 1,500-mile trek on Lake Michigan

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 26, 2012 5:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – A 27-year-old woman rowing 1,500 miles around Lake Michigan for charity says she will continue her journey despite being sexually assaulted on Sunday, reports the Chicago Tribune. Jenn Gibbons was attacked while sleeping in her rowboat by a man who was apparently following her journey online. "Every single day I have had ups and downs," said Gibbons, founder of Recovery on Water, a charity that emphasizes the importance of exercise in fighting breast cancer. "I'm constantly improvising. I've trained well. This just requires pushing through an obstacle that's bigger than the rest."

"Quitting is an option," said Gibbons. "I don't think people would think I let them down or I was a failure. But it's not what I want to do." Gibbons has rowed 10 to 13 miles a day since beginning her journey on June 15, and raised $92,000 toward her goal of $150,000. For more details about Gibbons' journey, check out her website Row4row.org, or to donate, go here.

This sketch provided by the Michigan State Police shows the suspect wanted in connection with the reported sexual assault of Jenn Gibbons on Sunday, July 22, 2012.
This sketch provided by the Michigan State Police shows the suspect wanted in connection with the reported sexual assault of Jenn Gibbons on Sunday, July 22, 2012.   (AP Photo/Michigan State Police)
Jenn Gibbons, founder of the charity Recovery on Water, says she will continue with her fundraising row around Lake Michigan, despite being assaulted Sunday morning.
Jenn Gibbons, founder of the charity Recovery on Water, says she will continue with her fundraising row around Lake Michigan, despite being assaulted Sunday morning.   (Recovery on Water)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Check out another Brilliant story: Netflix to Become DreamWorks' TV Network
4%
Hilarious
7%
Intriguing
16%
Depressing
68%
Brilliant
4%
Scary
1%
Annoying
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 2 comments
Aitchondo
Jul 26, 2012 6:14 AM CDT
I hope they catch the s.o.b. and tie his balls to the rowboat and she just keeps on rowing... until she finishes, when she cuts herself loose from him, keeping the balls tied to the boat. Go girl!
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne