“It never gets easier” Brave rape victim speaks out 20 years after sexual assault

A brave rape victim has revealed her harrowing account of a sexual assault more than 20 years ago – and hopes the experience can help victims come forward and better train police to help victims of these crimes.

The woman, who cannot be officially named, was speaking at Durham Police’s Meadowfield Training Center on Thursday (May 16) during a visit by Home Secretary James Cleverly.

During her speech, the victim recounted the attack, which took place on New Year’s Eve, saying she was drunk, lost her friends and ended up crying on a bench.

After a man initially came by and apparently helped her, he invited her to his home under the pretext of allowing her to call her parents on the phone.

He then forced her into a bedroom and raped her – eventually the victim begged the man to stop attacking her and to flee the house.

In her speech, the victim said: “I was numb – I always think back to why I didn’t scream – I don’t know if I didn’t have the ability to scream – or if I was frozen by his actions.”

“I’m reliving the nightmare – it doesn’t get any easier every time I talk about it. I prayed that the attack would be over soon.”

Read more:

Get more content, including the stories that matter to your community, from The Northern Echo here for just £3 for 3 months, for a limited time only.

“When it happened – it felt like it took forever – I just wanted it to be over.”

After initially not wanting to report the sexual assault to police, the woman said she eventually reported it after she saw another woman being raped near where the attack on her occurred.

The woman says she was supported by Durham Police every step of the way after reporting the sexual assault – and hopes her story can help other victims come forward and help police investigate further crimes.

If you are a victim of sexual assault or have been affected by anything in this story, volunteer organizations such as Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, Victim Support, The Survivors Trust or Male Survivors Partnership are on hand to offer you support.

You can also call Refuge’s 24-hour toll-free domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247

There is also the rape and sexual abuse support line run by Rape Crisis England and Wales – you can call the line on 0808 500 2222 or use the online chat (both are free and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year ).