Assault Victim Describes Her Fears During Attacker's Sentencing

WILLOWBROOK, IL - A sexual assault victim who has been open and active in advocating other victims gave a powerful victim statement in Du Page County Court Thursday during the sentencing of her attacker, 34-year-old Londale Madison. Melissa Schuster said in court that while she is stronger now than she was in the days after the 2015 attack, "the fears I have are real," the Chicago Tribune reports.

Also on Patch: Woman Attacked In Her Home Stabbed 17 Times, Suffered Six Broken Bones In Her Face

Madison, of South Bend, Indiana, is to be sentenced after pleading guilty and admitting to attempted murder, sexual assault and home invasion from the attack on Schuster at her home in Willowbrook on Aug. 29, 2015.

In a victim impact statement, Schuster — who fled to a neighbor's house after the attack — said she was "determined to pick myself up" in court, where Madison could be sentenced to up to 100 years in prison. The attack has left her lasting physical and mental scars, she said.

Her physical injuries included broken bones and more than 17 stab wounds to the neck, back of the head and other areas.

More via the Chicago Tribune

Photo of Melissa Schuster provided by Mary Elizabeth Schuster-Callison.