Debra Lafave appears in court for a probation hearing, Sept. 22 2011.
TAMPA, Florida - Her attorney said seven years ago "she's too pretty for prison" and now it appears she's too pretty for probation. A judge's ruling to end Debra Lafave's probation four years early has left many rape victims stunned.
In 2005, Lafave pleaded guilty to having sex with her 14-year old-student. Rape survivors hope the decision does not keep other victims from getting help.
"It sends almost a shockwave through the community wondering do our lives matter," says Marilyn Bray, 29, rape survivor.
In October 2004, Bray was sexually assaulted and, as a rape survivor, the Lafave decision shakes her confidence in the judicial system. Bray says, "It is devastating to see a system we put so much faith in not provide the answers and justice that we think is needed."
"It can make the healing journey a little tougher," says Leslie Kille, the director of Trauma Recovery Services for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. Kille says victims can become survivors regardless of what happens in a courtroom.
"We don't want that young person, that adult, to become their rape, to become their sexual assault. That in the process seeking help and talking to someone they can heal, put it behind them," she says.
Soon after her attack, Marilyn reached out to the Crisis Center for help and that's where she learned three life-saving skills. "One, it's not my fault. Two, that there was hope. Three, I was not alone."
Crisis Center officials say a third of rape victims report the incident and only a third of those pursue legal action. But just like Lafave's 14-year-old victim, they say all can be helped.
Debra Lafave will remain a sexual offender the rest of her life. She will have to notify law enforcement if she changes address and she will have to identify herself as one on her driver's license. Prosecutors plan to appeal the judge's decision.