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A listener note, this episode contains strong language and references to sexual assault.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, you're not alone,

and will share a list of resources at the end of the episode.

Please take care while listening.

Laurie Kaniak followed her attorneys into a high-rise office building in Midtown Manhattan.

She sat down in a padded leather chair.

Lawyers for Columbia huddled in another room.

A mediator shuttled back and forth.

With these bangle bracelets that kept dangling everywhere, I'll never forget that.

It had been five years since Laurie filed her civil suit against Columbia,

the one that brought Evelyn Yang and other survivors forward.

Laurie's case had completely stalled out.

I thought it was over. Nobody else is coming forward.

There's going to be no real reason for me to talk again.

She was here to settle.

What's the proper amount of money for this crime?

There isn't one is the answer.

There is no dollar amount that is enough or appropriate or settling or soothing.

Money doesn't make this go away.

But money was the only form of accountability she thought she had left.

...