Local woman who was a military rape victim speaks out on 'Katie'

CINCINNATI - Katie Couric hosted a special segment on rape victims in the military this week in response to the Oscar nominated documentary "Invisible War."

Couric stated that nearly one-third of women in the military say they were victims of sexual assault. In 2010, more than 19,000 assaults were reported alone, according to information provided by the Pentagon.

As part of the show, Couric invited women featured in the film to discuss their experience on "Katie" this past Tuesday. Kori Cioca of Cincinnati and a victim of military rape, along with her husband Rob McDonald, shared her story of survival.

Cioca joined the Coast Guard in 2005. She told Couric she was raped by a commanding officer, who was assigned to her as a mentor.

Cioca said the officer made inappropriate advances in the weeks before the attack. Couric did not discuss the details of the incident with Cioca, but when asked if the military did anything in response to the violence, she replied, "No."

During the attack Cioca was struck in the face and required medical attention. She told Couric it took nearly seven years for the military to pay her back for the medical bills.

As a result of the tragedy, she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was prescribed an assortment of medications, which she eventually planned to use to take her own life.

She even went as far as to write a suicide note to her family, but her plans were halted after learning news from her doctor.

"In the film, I was going to overdose on medicine, and I went to the doctor to make sure I had enough narcotics and with my sleeping meds to do the job and they were testing me for other things in my system. That's when they told me I was pregnant," Cioca told Couric Tuesday.

Cioca and her husband were expecting a baby girl. The news literally saved Cioca's life, who told Couric she decided taking her own life would be too selfish at that point.

Even though years have passed since the attack, Cioca is still recovering from the trauma.

At all times she carries a crucifix and a knife that was given to her in the Coast Guard in case she encounters another attack. She also doesn't carry a purse so her hands are free at all times.

You can watch the full interview with Cioca in the video player above. (Mobile users go to a browser version of WCPO.com to watch the interview)