LIBERTY, Mo. — Diana Meyer is getting back her life, everyday by going to the gun range for target practice and walking her dog without fear. Six years ago, the wife and mother had her security and perfect world shattered.
“I was raped by my best friend’s husband,” Meyer said.
It happened at a neighborhood party, where the man convicted of sexually assaulting Meyer, David Heith, was serving up drinks. After a few drinks, she knew something was wrong. She says she was drugged.
“I got horrifically sick and my husband did too,” she said. “He passed out on the lawn. Everyone thought we had consumed an exorbitant amount of alcohol and we had not”
She made her way into a bathroom and the next thing she knew she was unable to move. Next, she remembers Heith coming in, locking the door and sexually assaulting her. She was defenseless to stop him.
The next day the memories flooded back like a nightmare. She decided to go to the police. Meyer says she had to convince police and the prosecutors office that a crime had taken place.
After two years, the case finally went to trial and David Heith was convicted of felony deviate sexual assault and is now a registered sex offender.
Diana credits MOCSA, The Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, with helping her through the ordeal. She now volunteers for MOCSA, is an advocate for victims and speaks to organizations about sexual assault. She says her life is
better than before, she’s stronger, enjoys life more.
“I’m a survivor; I was raped,” she said. “It’s okay to say that, but that’s not who I am. I love my life.”
MOCSA has a 24 hour crisis hot line and provides hospital advocacy, criminal justice, short-term therapy, and support groups all at no charge. The number in Missouri is (816) 531-0233 or Kansas (913) 642-0233.
