Our Founder
Donna Palomba
In 1993, Donna Palomba survived a harrowing home invasion and assault, only to face further victimization when her case was mishandled by the police. Her extraordinary strength, perseverance, and leadership led to meaningful changes in police policy and Connecticut state law. Inspired by Gandhi’s famous words and deeply shaped by her personal and professional experiences, Donna founded Jane Doe No More in 2007. Today, she empowers survivors and communities to fight injustice and become the change they wish to see in the world.
Message From The Founder
People often ask me how I do what I do everyday. It certainly isn’t something I chose, yet I believe it was something I was destined to do and I wouldn't change a thing. For me, the best path forward from a home invasion and rape followed by revictimization was to fight for justice. I believe we learn most from our greatest challenges. These challenges kept me going and gave me a greater purpose. It stirred in me a passion to fight for real and meaningful change. That’s how Jane Doe No More was born.
Today, I am blessed to work with an amazing team that shares my passion. Jane Doe No More is empowering survivors to find their voice, advance their healing, and educate others. As we grow in strength and numbers, our collective voice gets louder. What started as a whisper, when I was barely able to speak, has grown to a roar. There is no stopping us now.
Donna comes forward for the first time
to launch Jane Doe No More.
April 2007
Statute of Limitations
When Donna's perpetrator was found through irrefutable DNA evidence in 2004, he could not be arrested for the crime he committed. By that time 11 years had passed and the statute of limitations was only 5 years for rape, even with DNA evidence. Donna was devastated. The only charge he could be arrested for was kidnapping which was problematic resulting in the perpetrator receiving far less time than he should have received, and he went on to attack again.
In 2007, Donna Palomba’s case was the impetus for the removal of Connecticut’s statute of limitations on sexual crimes with DNA evidence.
Donna speaking alongside Governor M. Jodi Rell and Chief Neil O’Leary in 2007 at a ceremonial signing.
“Donna has not only fought back from a vicious assault, she has made this change in the law a part of her personal mission to improve the treatment of victims and the pursuit of justice. Her advocacy for this change makes her a true Connecticut hero and I salute her.”
Dateline NBC aired a two-hour show on Donna Palomba’s story for the first time in 2007, the year Donna founded Jane Doe No More. The journey continues and Dateline came back to do another completely new two-hour show which aired on January 21, 2022. Coverage below.
Learn what compelled Donna Palomba to form Jane Doe No More, why it is so important, and what we are up to today. Get involved.
Dateline NBC | Season 15 | Episode 38
The Man Behind the Mask | April 2007
Donna’s story first aired in 2007, the year Jane Doe No More was born.
After the Verdict: Evil Paid a Visit Dateline Podcast | May 1, 2025
Jane Doe No More | The Book
My 15-Year Fight To Reclaim My Identity
- A True Story Of Survival, Hope, and Redemption
By M.William Phelps with Donna Palomba
A woman on a crusade for justice – raped by a masked assailant, Donna Palomba's long struggle was not only to see her assailant arrested, but to defeat authorities bent on discrediting her, to reclaim her identity, to become an advocate for victims of sexual violence, and even to change the laws in her home state.
Lyons Press, an imprint of Globe Pequot Press by M. William Phelps and Donna Palomba September 2012 – a story that follows one woman's hunt for justice.
100% of the proceeds from your purchase go directly to our programs and services.
Fun Fact about our Logo
Donna was ‘Jane Doe’ in newspaper articles and medical reports. It is customary in cases of sexual assault and rape for victims to be referred to as ‘Jane Doe’. A typewriter font was chosen for the words ‘Jane Doe’. This reference, initially meant to protect the victim, also erases that person’s identity. The words “no more” and the underscore appear in Donna’s own handwriting, declaring that every survivor has a name, a face, and a voice.
