The victim of rapist Tom Silvagni has taken to social media to share the heartbreaking toll that the high-profile criminal trial has had on her life.
The woman, who cannot be identified, said she wanted to speak out so other sexual assault survivors knew their emotions were normal.
Silvagni, 23, was last year found guilty of two counts of rape following the attack on January 14, 2024 at a mansion owned by his famous parents — AFL icon Stephen Silvagni and television host Jo Silvagni.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
He was sentenced in the Victorian County Court in December to a maximum of six years and two months behind bars, with a minimum of three years and three months to be served.
Silvagni has always maintained his innocence and is appealing his conviction.
He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This week, the woman said legal reasons had prevented her from speaking previously, but noted many of her followers were sexual assault survivors.
“I’m here to share how I’m feeling because hopefully it’s something you’ll be able to relate to,” she said in a video.
The woman repeatedly said she was still “crashing out” after her ordeal.
“I know my socials might look like I’m going out … all the time having fun and trying to continue my life, that does not mean I don’t have moments like this. This is normal,” she said.
“It’s been two months, maybe just over, since I guess the trial finished and got a verdict and a sentencing. That all happened really quickly, so that was all just a whirlwind … all very surreal.”
The woman said she often told herself to move on and live life and “enjoy this feeling of some sort of justice” but it was difficult.
“It is not that easy and that’s what I want to share to anyone that’s watching this, that may be in the same shoes as me, because I know that will probably bring a little bit of comfort to show this is how it feels,” she said.
The woman said her “brain physically cannot process” the court outcome and it would “probably take a while” to do so.
“I still feel so like mentally drained and exhausted from everything, like as bad as it felt in the middle of it all, so I’m just making this video because I just want you to know that if you’re feeling the same, it is normal,” she said.
“I’ve only just gone back to work like a month ago and I’m exhausted, I’m not even working that much, I’m working as a casual, exhausted, everything just seems 10 times more energy draining.
“I know I haven’t spoken too much about it on socials, obviously for legal reasons, because it’s technically still going on, it’s not fully concluded, so like I probably won’t talk too much but I don’t see any harm in sharing moments like this to my social media.”
The woman added that she was still feeling drained and mentally exhausted.
“I’m sorry if you are unfortunately one day in this position, but I hope, if you are, then this might bring you some comfort to know that how you’re feeling is normal because I feel like a wreck, crashing out,” she said.
Judge Gregory Lyon said Silvagni’s crimes were “marked by planning, cunning and strategy” after the opportunity arose.
The jury was told the woman was invited around by Silvagni’s girlfriend, Alannah Iaconis, and later decided to stay the night in a spare bedroom.
Silvagni climbed into bed with the woman after a friend of his, with whom she had a casual sexual relationship with, left and twice digitally raped her.
In the days following, Judge Lyon said Silvagni embarked on a campaign of deception and deflection, including altering an Uber receipt to falsely claim the friend remained at the home and encouraging him to “take responsibility for your actions”.
“Negating the free agreement of another by deception to participate in sexual activity is insidious,” the judge said.
“To negate free agreement over protest and by restraint is callous.
“Both forms of conduct, together with your subsequent conduct, display a real lack of empathy for your victim.”
Discussion about this post