A rape survivor is speaking out and hoping to motivate other victims of sexual assault to continue working towards their dreams and goals. WFMJ news only reveals names if the person wants to speak out publicly.

Rochele Lee did not want to talk on camera until her attacker was finally sentenced to prison for her assault. It has been two long years and a struggle to keep pushing forward. Lee said, "It took two years for my heart to have some justice. As I found out at work the other day I immediately cried. It was a sense of relief so now I can ultimately start healing."

Lee who had run marathons, was visiting her mom, Running daily was a part of her early morning routine and Lee told us that the deer even became familiar  with her along the path, But in 2018 her typically peaceful morning turned into a fight of her life as a man violently attacked her as she was jogging in Poland Township park.

Lee said, "He grabbed me from behind and he strangled my neck. It happened so fast. You're just paralyzed. I tried to fight back. I've never had someone behind behind me choking me. ... In that moment I tried to fight back and I dug my nails in him and everything. That led ultimately to DNA in my fingernails."

The DNA evidence collected at a hospital was put into a database by Ohio's Bureau of Criminal Investigations and it matched Shawn Wendling from Lawrence county Pennsylvania. That evidence led to his arrest for the 2018 rapes of two more victims along Berlin Lake Trail in Portage county. In that case deputies had said Wendling told them he was a dangerous man. He threatened the lives of all three victims, and stole some of their possessions. He stole Lee's phone and her glasses.

Lee said, "He had a knife in his back pocket, If I would ask him why are you doing this he would say I'm going to tie you up. I have rope in my truck. I'm going to tie you up and you won't make it."

She was unconscious at times and at one point naked in a ditch. When the rapist left, with no phone to call 911 or her mom the young woman tried to get drivers to stop and help her but they all kept driving. Lee had to run home. Her mom went with her by ambulance to the hospital. And she describes five hours of feeling dirty and disgusted in the hospital while she answered detectives, nurses and doctors questions. She wanted them to preserve all evidence there was and they ended ujp doing that.

After two years waiting for justice, there have been tears, nightmares and relief that the rapist Wendling will be in prison for up to 50 years for all three crimes. He received 30 years for the two rapes in Portage county, and 20 years in Mahoning County. The sentences will be served consecutively.  Plus there is strength, She has started a YouTube site for other victims of sexual assault. Lee emphasized,"It doesn't stop me from being who I am and going after my dreams, and goals. I'm still a Taylor Swift fan, I still watch Netflix, and I still snuggle with my cat. I'm still me. If something like that happens to you it doesn't stop you from being you, You have to keep pushing forward and not let the past define you."

Lee added, "Don't get comfortable and allow yourself to get into a situation where you are vulnerable. I use an elliptical now. I have not run outdoors. Always be aware of your surroundings. Evil can be around the corner and run into you, like it did to me."