Samantha Geimer - The Girl - A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski

All of my friends, who protect me with their loyalty and sustain me with their warmth. Dawn McMillan, whose dedication and support has shown me what friendship truly means. Duncan Scrymgeour, whose incredibly kind heart is matched only by his intellect and wit. Michele Burke, my childhood friend: we got through those difficult years together, I don’t know what I would have done without her. My friends from York who couldn’t have realized back then how much I needed them. My friends from Hughes Jr. High who welcomed me, accepted me, and helped me pretend everything was normal when my world was falling apart. And a special few who were always there to listen with support and patience so I could talk it all out: Mark Atkins, Dudley Wilson, James Jennings, Patricia Budde, Deborah Wolf, and Debbie Thorpe.

My mother, Susan Gailey, who showed me how to walk through difficult times with my head held high. My sister, Kim, and Nana who taught me the meaning of family. Robert Nesbitt, our hero. My father, John R. Gailey, Jr., who gave me the refuge of a wonderful childhood.

And most of all, my husband of twenty-five years and best friend, David, standing by my side through so much, and my incredible sons, Jesse, Alexander, and Matthew. I couldn’t have done this without their encouragement. I wouldn’t have done it without their support. And I wouldn’t be here at all without their love.

Samantha Geimeris married and has three sons. She divides her time between Hawaii and Nevada.

Front cover photograph of Samantha Geimer taken by Roman Polanski in Los Angeles, California, 1977.

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Copyright © 2013 by Samantha Geimer

Afterword copyright © 2013 by Lawrence Silver

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Atria Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.

The photographs of Samantha Geimer appearing on pages 52, 53, 54, 252, 253, and 255were taken by Roman Polanski in Los Angeles on February 20 and March 10, 1977. They are reprinted here with the permission of Ms. Geimer, who holds all rights to them.

First Atria Books hardcover edition September 2013

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Designed by Dana Sloan

Jacket design by Jeanne M. Lee

Author photograph by Kathy Stanford

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Geimer, Samantha.

The girl : a life in the shadow of Roman Polanski / by Samantha Geimer and Lawrence Silver ; with Judith Newman.

pages cm

1. Geimer, Samantha. 2. Polanski, Roman—Trials, litigation, etc. 3. Rape victims—United States—Biography. 4. Sexually abused teenagers—United States—Biography. I. Title.

HV6561.G45A3 2013

362.883092dc23

[B]

2013027264

ISBN 978-1-4767-1683-1

ISBN 978-1-4767-1685-5(ebook)

In 1981 Robbins stood trial, but was not convicted, for having sex with two sixteen-year-old girls he met in the state capitol in 1978 and 1979. In 1991 he was chucked from the California Senate and served a twenty-month jail sentence for taking bribes from lobbyists. Which proves that even a crooked pol can have a shining legacy.

The U.S. media generally doesn’t publish the names of rape victims because of the traditional (and, I hope, outdated) concern that the victims suffer humiliation and harm to their “reputations.” Also, one of the reasons that a large number of rapes go unreported is that the victims don’t want public exposure. These concerns aren’t so strong in Europe.