What this brave young woman's sex assault case says about our justice system

A survivor of sexual assault said the years-long process to bring her rapist to justice in Wagga court was an arduous journey, but would never have happened if people hadn't believed her from the outset.

Written in collaboration with Daisy Huntly

Just seven per cent of sexual assault cases end with a guilty verdict, but one family says a recent conviction should send women everywhere a powerful message of hope.

A 21-year-old NSW man found guilty on six charges relating to the sexual assault of a person under the age of 16 was sentenced on June 6 to six years in jail.

After a gruelling legal process that has taken three years, the victim's family has come forward to share their experience.

A survivor of sexual assault said the years-long process to bring her rapist to justice in Wagga court was an arduous journey, but would never have happened if people hadn't believed her from the outset.

A spokesperson for the family told The Daily Advertiser the family wanted the Wagga community, in the Riverina region of southern NSW, to see that justice can be achieved.

"In a lot of ways, it's a very exceptional result," the spokesperson said.

"It was a great outcome for her and her family, but it was much broader than that, it's really important for other young women and women, in general, to hear that the system works."

In a powerful statement delivered during the sentencing process, the sexual assault survivor shared how "life was irrevocably changed" by the actions of the rapist, who won't be be eligible for parole until February 2028.

"I still vividly remember the overwhelming sense of fear and helplessness that washed over me - and that has never left me, despite all of the work I have done to try to move forward," she said.

She spoke of the heavy toll the attack - and the legal process that followed - took not just on herself, but her family.

She was still picking up the pieces of her life after the arduous healing and court journey.

"As a family unit, we have been completely changed," she said.

"Without their unconditional love and support, I don't know how I would have survived the pain of the last three years as this has dominated our family. They have been forcibly silenced as we waited for justice to be achieved and have watched me suffer."

In the past decade, reports of sexual assault to NSW Police have almost doubled.

However, conviction statistics support troubling rhetoric that it can be too much effort for no reward to come forward.

The latest study from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR), released in May 2024, revealed only seven per cent of sexual assaults reported to NSW Police ended with a guilty verdict in court.

The same study found just 15 per cent of sexual assaults reported to police resulted in charges being laid. Of those cases that ended up in court, less than half were proven.

"As I stand here today, I am not just speaking for myself, but for all victims who have suffered in silence," the survivor told the court.

"It is imperative that justice is served and all of the voices of victims are heard and acknowledged. Achieving justice has been a slow and extremely difficult process.

"I now understand why so many women do not report sexual assault but I hope more will do so. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can help others understand the profound and lasting effects of trauma, and the importance of compassion and support in the healing process."

The Riverina family hopes the man's conviction will help begin to dispel the belief that pursuing justice is not worth the effort.

The power of the Wagga court decision has also not been lost on them, the family spokesperson said.

"We want to see this as a deterrent to other young men. This case is a message to women and young women who can stand up that they can get a good result."

The support was wrapped around her.

- Victim's family spokesperson

Tanya Rowe, who works with victims of sexual, family and domestic violence daily as the Riverina Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service manager, said every woman should feel empowered to report, no matter how trivial they think the matter might be.

"My advice to any victims that come through my desk is I don't care how trivial they think it is, if it's something to report, report," Ms Rowe said.

"What I see, unfortunately, far too many times, is a victim will say to me this has been going on for 20 years and I finally reported it.

"I constantly say it, by reporting to the police you're creating the story.

"I know that it can be very, very daunting, going into the police station.

"But if it's a matter of giving us a call, if they've got a question about if they should report, or what should they do, we can guide them through that, but the importance of reporting is still extremely high."

Riverina Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service manager Tanya Rowe. Picture by Bernard Humphreys

Continuing support essential

Although the three-year process came with its own frustrations and burdens, the family spokesperson said the importance of believing in someone who reports such a crime could not be overstated.

Speaking up and tell her story repeatedly - to family, police, prosecutors, and the court - took courage and being believed early went a long way.

"She was instantly believed," the spokesperson said. "Instantly, she had the support from her immediate family, the extended family. That's an important thing in disclosure of sexual abuse because if people aren't believed, that will shut them down."

In her impact statement, the sexual assault survivor told the court that every day had been a battle, even with invaluable support of loved ones.

But she also spoke of her determination to recover and reclaim her life: "I am left with the ostensibly impossible task of trying to recover from this traumatic crime. The actions of one man over one night will never leave me and I will have to rebuild myself around what he has violated, but I am determined to do so."

She told the court she would not have had the chance to publicly detail the impact the attack had on her had she not been believed from the outset.

Ms Rowe said every woman who came to her would be heard: "Absolutely, 100 per cent, their story is their story, and what we're doing is, we're just going to help advocate for them however that looks.

"Whatever the victim is saying, is telling us, is what we work with. If they're telling us the story 100 per cent we believe and we go with what they want."

Noting that cases can take years to process through the legal system, Ms Rowe said building support networks from the early stages of reporting was imperative to getting women through the process.

"You absolutely need to have that in your corner because it can be an extremely long and exhausting process," she said.

"You need to have people filling up your cup at the same time because, unfortunately, you could go through 18 months of this, even with support, and not get the desired outcomes."

The Riverina assault survivor's family the support network around her, including through the legal system and personal connections, was immense.

From the first report to the court case, she was empowered to speak and seek help as she needed.

"There was a whole team who supported her and the family through the entire process," the family spokesperson said.

"She had this really fantastic support group of young women who were with her through this, who were in court with her, and who never for one second did not believe her.

"The support was wrapped around her."

• If reading this story has affected you in any way, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Those who may be distressed can also phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.

• The Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services can be contacted by calling 1800 WDVCAS (1800 938 227) and entering your postcode.