ABC13 reported extensively on low arrest rates and delays in sexual assault cases. In November 2025, Eyewitness News introduced you to Marlecia Price.
RELATED: 'It continues to shatter': Report shows law enforcement delays in response to sex assault cases
Her case took years to reach trial, but on Monday, she finally got the news she was hoping for.
"It took five years, it took a lot of tears. It took a lot of work and perseverance," Price said.
On Monday, the man who sexually assaulted her was sentenced by a jury to life in prison.
"It's been traumatizing. The nightmares," she said. "The not knowing. 'Is this person going to get out tomorrow? Is this person going to hurt me?'"
Court documents show Duwane Shackelford was Price's personal trainer and raped her at a southeast Houston motel. The case first went to trial in November 2025, but ended in a hung jury.
"I made it a point that when I walked out of that emergency room on that day on Oct. 18, that I would not be silenced," Price said. "I didn't give up because there are other survivors behind me. I'm just one of the women who had the opportunity to make it to this point."
Harris County's Sexual Assault Response Team was formed in 2021, the same year Price was assaulted.
Since then, the sheriff's office has doubled the size of its adult sex crimes unit from six to 12 members, and the District Attorney's office unit has gone from five to nine members.
But, DPS statistics show, sex assault arrest numbers haven't budged, with clearance rates - another word for the percentage of crimes police consider solved- hovering at about 15%, which is about half the rate for other crimes.
So far this year, the clearance rate is 8%.
And those same stats show that only about one-third of those cleared cases led to arrests.
"I think the culture needs to change. How we as a community interact with victims and survivors," she said. "I'm happy that I allowed myself to be so vulnerable with everyone to say, 'No, I'm not going to allow the system. I'm not going to allow my own fear; I'm not going to allow anybody to deter me from doing what I know is right in my heart and soul.'"
If you have been sexually assaulted and need help, contact the Houston Area Women's Center. The center has counselors on call 24/7 who can help you navigate the legal system. Just call 1-800-256-0661.