Sexual assault survivor wants to be a voice for others

The young woman, who was sexually assaulted by the taxi driver who took her home after spending the night out, said that she wanted to be the voice of those who had no voice.

Chloe Wilson, from Londonderry, was 18 when she was attacked in 2017.

He previously told BBC News NI: just using your nameWhen taxi driver Paul Bryan, of Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, was convicted of assault earlier this year.

Now Chloe has waived her right to anonymity, hoping it will help others and bring lasting change to the legal system.

Chloe said her future now focuses on “victim empowerment”.

“I want to be a voice; someone to be your Jane Doe when you feel like you can’t speak,” she said.

“I’ll be the one you can hide behind because I’m not afraid anymore… I’m not ashamed and I know they won’t be at some stage either.”

Last week Chloe met with Northern Ireland’s crime commissioner, Geraldine Hanna, to discuss how things could be improved for victims and survivors.

“We both have the same vision, including tougher sentences,” Chloe said.

Chloe said it was vital for others to know “there is life after the attack”.

“You are more than what happened to you. You are not a product of your trauma. “I used to see myself as a victim and I don’t anymore,” he added.

“I see myself as a survivor and someone who has the ability to create change.”

Chloe was separated from her friends during a night out in Letterkenny in October 2017 when Bryan, 63, forced her into his taxi and attacked her.

In September, Bryan was sentenced to 4 years in prisonHalf of them will spend time in custody before being released on licence.

During her seven-year wait for justice, Chloe said she was in “kind of a blur”.

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with… I’m just a normal girl, someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, their friend, a typical girl growing up in Derry.”

Chloe said the seven-year wait was something survivors should not have to endure.

“What did I do to make this my fault?” You are dealing with your own victimization. The answer to this is absolutely nothing.

“There are predators and unfortunately we live among them,” he said.

Chloe said the meeting with the commissioner was an opportunity to press for changes to the legal system.

“The last seven years have shown me how wrong there is with our system and how we need to change,” he added.

Following Bryan’s sentencing, the Prosecution Service (PPS) said there was “no undue delay by the PPS at any stage” and that “it was the trial judge’s job to impose a sentence”.

It was stated that prosecutors first became aware of the case in 2022, when the PPS received a file from the police.

“After evaluating the evidence, the decision was made to prosecute the suspect for sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault was committed,” the PPS said.

Chloe said the justice system needed to take a more “victim-centred approach” and that “proper therapy” should be prevalent within it.

He also believes that those who confess their crimes early should not receive lighter sentences.

“This is not the time to give light sentences to people who ruin people’s lives.”

If you’re affected by any of the issues in this story, you can find help and support at: BBC Action Line.