USA Olympic Athlete-on-Athlete Rape: The Kim Rhodenbaugh Story Artwork

Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women & Survivors

ROAR With Shari™ is a weekly show hosted by rape and incest survivor, Attorney Shari Karney. “Pain put me into hiding, purpose called me out,” says Karney. Shari offers up straight talk about fighting for justice for victims of sexual abuse. Trauma. Resilience. Healing. For child sexual abuse survivors and all victims of sexual assault. Each week Roar with Shari talks with inspiring guests, rape and child sex abuse survivors, sexual violence victims, experts, nonprofit leaders, public office holders, change-makers, rainmakers, and justice warriors. The podcast offers insight into the law, the need for accountability and healing, justice, heart-rendering soul inspiring stories of victims, survivors, thrivers, and straight talkers about action, and life-changing transformation. It’s a podcast that shares the stories of child and adult victims of sexual assault who have turned their pain into purpose. We are here to learn together, to educate, empower, women supporting women, women empowerment, victim empowerment, and inspire others to speak up, speak out, and let their voices be heard. The podcast asks trauma-informed questions: What happened to you? What have you lived through, what have you survived?” How has it affected you?” Conversations on how do we help get justice so that lives can be transformed? We talk with change-makers, rainmakers, and more than a few troublemakers who courageously, bravely, and fearlessly Roar as One, with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women & Survivors. Shari Karney’s story as a child sexual abuse survivor was made into a top-rated NBC-TV movie “Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story,” Karney has been a victims’ rights attorney who represents victims of child sexual abuse, clergy abuse, coach-teacher sex abuse, sports-athletics sexual abuse, and celebrity sex abuse for over 25 years. Currently, ROAR As One™ Inc. a non-profit 501(c)(3) educates courts and legislators on how specific decisions and laws can impact victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, to educate Congress to eliminate all statutes of limitations "SOL"--(the civil SOL backward and forward, the criminal SOL, forward) for survivors of child sexual abuse. Children so preyed on, exploited, and cruelly harmed should have human and civil rights.

All Episodes

Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women & Survivors

USA Olympic Athlete-on-Athlete Rape: The Kim Rhodenbaugh Story

January 31, 2024 • Shari Karney • Season 3 • Episode 9

In this episode, Kim Rhodenbaugh Lewallen’s life revolved around swimming, and she loved it.

Kim made the US Olympic Swim Team and was thrilled to represent her country. Like many young athletes, her world revolved around the sport she loved and felt safe being surrounded by other like minded athletes. However, that sense of safety was soon shattered by some of the very same people she trusted. While napping in her room, she was awakened by a fellow athlete fondling her. When she was 16, another athlete, who she had a crush on, kissed her. But then, he overpowered her, ignoring her demands for him to stop, and he raped her.

On the outside, she looked confident, happy, and capable. But inside she was broken, fearful, and deeply depressed. Despair replaced her joy.

The seeds of self-loathing, shame and fear became deeply rooted. She had thoughts of suicide, many times wanting to run her car off the road. Soon after, Kim developed an eating disorder thinking that this was something that she could control in her out-of-control world.

I Don’t Want Another Young Olympian Athlete to Experience the Horror That I and Hundreds of Others Have Endured-Kim Rhodenbaugh Lewallen’s: Athlete-on-Athlete Rape.

Listeners, Please Note:

Shari Karney, the host of Roar with Shari. . . All Things Justice for Women and Survivors is a survivor and a practicing attorney in California representing victims of child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.

Even though Shari Karney is a licensed practicing attorney in the State of California practicing in the areas of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, this podcast is intended for informational purposes only, there is no expectation of confidentiality and is not intended nor should it be construed as legal advice. For legal advice, you should seek competent legal counsel. If you’re interested in speaking to Karney’s law practice they can be reached at https://karneyadvocates.com

Please also note that Karney Law is owned by Shari Karney. Karney is the founder of Roar as One. Roar as One is a nonprofit, Karney Law is a law firm and they are otherwise unaffiliated.