A brave sexual assault survivor has broken her silence after being drugged and raped by two private school boys at a party, only to be asked by a police officer if she was a virgin when reporting the crime.
In 2008, Stephanie attended a party in Brisbane‘s northern suburbs when two boys sexually assaulted her in the early hours of the morning.
The then 14-year-old wasn’t drinking alcohol on the night but remembers one of the boys offered her a soft drink, which she believes was spiked.
‘I was unconscious on the floor when two boys thought it was acceptable to have sex with me and put foreign objects inside of me without any consent. I was paralysed but I could feel everything,’ she told the Courier Mail.
The traumatised teen broke down in tears to a friend at school the following Monday, before telling one of her teachers what had happened to her.
Following the boys’ arrests, Stephanie was subjected to death threats and abuse, leading to mental health issues and a suicide attempt (stock image)
Stephanie said reporting the rape to police was one of the hardest things she has ever done in her life.
‘When I sat down with the first officer to tell my story the first question he asked me was, was I a virgin before that night and I remember feeling so angry and I told him I didn’t see the relevance of his question,’ she said.
The boys, who attend a private boys’ school in Queensland, were arrested a few days later.
But Stephanie’s nightmare wasn’t over yet.
Following the boys’ arrests, she was subjected to death threats and abuse, leading to mental health issues and a suicide attempt.
Stephanie said she was told the two teen boys were ‘too young to know what consent meant’ and even felt like the ordeal was somehow her fault.
A deal was eventually struck with the boys despite Stephanie’s willingness to go to trial.
They both received probation for their crime.
Stephanie is one of more than 30,000 people who have signed the Teach Us Consent petition calling for a review in sexual assault education in Australian schools.
Former Kambala school student Chanel Contos, 22, launched the petition on February 18 after reflecting on her own sexual assault as a youth.
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The petition rapidly went viral, with thousands of girls from both private and state schools across the nation since coming forward to share their own experiences.
While the alarming stories hailed from all sorts of institutions, several of Australia’s top same-sex schools’ names were repeatedly mentioned – including Scots College, Cranbrook, Sydney Grammar, Waverley College, Kambala, Monte Sant Angelo and Pymble Ladies’ College.
Former Kambala school student Chanel Contos, 22, launched the petition on February 18 after reflecting on her own sexual assault as a youth
Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said he admires the courage of Ms Contos (pictured) and others who have shared stories after being encouraged by her petition
Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said he admires the courage of Ms Contos and others who have shared stories after being encouraged by her petition.
‘I’ve got to say I’ve been quite shocked at the extent of the number of people who are coming forward,’ he told Sky News on Thursday.
Australian schools will soon be provided with more material about consent, respectful relationships and sexual abuse for students from prep to year 12.
The government is under immense pressure over the treatment of women after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped by a colleague in a minister’s office
Mr Tudge said the federal government would in coming weeks nationally distribute Respect Matters, a suite of education material.
It will include information about respectful relationships, consent and sexual abuse.
‘This is an issue for the entire community to do better at,’ Mr Tudge said.
The government is under immense pressure over the treatment of women after former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins alleged she was raped by a colleague in a minister’s office.
Ms Higgins coming forward triggered national debate about sexual assault and the workplace culture inside Parliament House.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison is also refusing to launch an independent inquiry into rape allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter from when he was at high school.
Mr Porter emphatically denies the alleged incident happened and is now on mental health leave.
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