Gettysburg College Rape Survivor Finds Justice 12 Years Later as Attacker Sentenced in Pennsylvania

Survivor’s Courage Leads to Conviction in Delayed Campus Sexual Assault Case

After more than a decade of persistence, Shannon Keeler, a former Gettysburg College student, has finally seen justice served. Her assailant, Ian Cleary, 32, was sentenced to two to four years in prison in Adams County, Pennsylvania, for the 2013 rape that changed her life.

The case gained national attention after Cleary sent Keeler a Facebook message in 2019 confessing to the assault. The message — “So I raped you” — reignited Keeler’s pursuit of justice, shining a light on the failures of college and law enforcement systems to properly handle campus sexual assault cases.

Despite prosecutors initially seeking up to eight years in prison, the judge issued a lesser sentence, citing Cleary’s guilty plea, remorse, and documented mental health struggles.

A Survivor’s Decade-Long Fight for Accountability

The attack occurred in December 2013, during Keeler’s first semester at Gettysburg College. She reported that Cleary broke into her dorm room the night before winter break and sexually assaulted her. Although she immediately went to the police, the case stalled — a reflection of what many advocates call a systemic reluctance to prosecute sexual assaults on college campuses.

“The system meant to protect me protected you instead,” Keeler told Cleary in a powerful victim impact statement at sentencing. “This isn’t just my story. This is the story of countless women.”

Her statement echoed the frustration of many survivors who have come forward under similar circumstances, only to encounter institutional barriers, lost evidence, and indifference.

Keeler’s determination never wavered. In 2019, six years after the assault, she received Cleary’s Facebook confession while he was living abroad. When authorities initially failed to act, she went public, working with journalists from the Associated Press to expose the inaction surrounding her case.

Weeks after the story’s publication in 2021, Cleary was finally indicted on second-degree sexual assault charges.

Extradition and Sentencing After Years of Evasion

Following the indictment, Cleary disappeared overseas. Investigators from both the U.S. and Europe spent years trying to locate him, ultimately finding him in Metz, France, in April 2024, after his arrest on a minor vagrancy charge. He was extradited to Pennsylvania shortly after.

In court, Cleary admitted to the assault and apologized directly to Keeler, saying he was “committed to getting treatment for mental health.” His legal team claimed he had experienced homelessness and was unaware of the charges, though prosecutors doubted that explanation.

The case’s resolution, nearly 12 years after the original report, comes with mixed emotions for Keeler. While grateful for the conviction, she described the sentence as “less than what we expected and certainly less than he deserves.”

Her attorney, Andrea Levy, said the outcome nonetheless represents progress, as it demonstrates the power of survivor testimony and public advocacy in reopening long-neglected cases.

Systemic Failures in Campus Sexual Assault Cases

Keeler’s ordeal underscores widespread issues with how colleges and prosecutors handle sexual assault allegations. Evidence from her rape kit was destroyed before charges were filed — a loss that might have permanently derailed her case if not for Cleary’s eventual confession.

“The system that failed me a decade ago finally delivered accountability, but at a cost,” Keeler said. “Evidence was lost. Time passed. My life moved on, but the impact never went away.”

Campus sexual assault remains one of the most underreported and under-prosecuted crimes in the United States. Victims frequently face skepticism, institutional pressure to stay silent, and lengthy delays that deter others from coming forward.

In this case, Cleary’s confession provided the critical breakthrough, but advocates stress that survivors shouldn’t need such extraordinary evidence to see justice served.

Hope for Survivors and the Path Forward

Despite the limitations of the sentence, Keeler’s courage has already inspired broader discussions about survivor advocacy and legal reform. Her willingness to go public has pushed institutions and prosecutors to reevaluate their approach to sexual violence — particularly in educational settings where victims often feel powerless.

Her story also demonstrates that even years after an assault, justice remains possible. Persistence, public awareness, and legal advocacy can make the difference between silence and accountability.

Legal Support for Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Pennsylvania

For survivors of sexual assault, navigating the legal system can be daunting, especially when institutions fail to act. Ashley DiLiberto, Esq., of Survivors of Abuse PA, provides compassionate, trauma-informed representation for survivors across Pennsylvania. Her firm helps victims of sexual assault — including those involving universities, employers, or state institutions — seek both justice and compensation through civil litigation.

Attorney DiLiberto’s work focuses on empowering survivors to reclaim their voice and hold perpetrators accountable. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, confidential legal assistance is available. Taking action can be the first step toward healing, justice, and systemic change.

Source:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/21/rape-facebook-message-gettysburg-pennsylvania