Tom Silvagni's Rape Victim Breaks Silence on Exhausting Life After Trial
The victim of convicted rapist Tom Silvagni has broken her silence, revealing the exhausting impact the case has had on every part of her life. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she wanted to share her story to remind other survivors that the emotional chaos following sexual violence is completely normal.
Details of the Case and Sentencing
Tom Silvagni, 23, was jailed in the Victorian County Court in December, receiving a six-year, two-month sentence with a non-parole period of three years and three months after a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape. The attack occurred on January 14, 2024, inside a bedroom of the Silvagni family's luxury mansion, home to AFL great Stephen Silvagni and television presenter Jo Silvagni.
While appealing his conviction, Silvagni is currently held in the notoriously tough Melbourne Assessment Prison. The victim explained she stayed silent post-sentencing due to legal constraints but felt compelled to speak this week after noticing many of her new social media followers were also survivors of sexual assault.
Victim's Emotional Struggles and Message to Survivors
She described feeling crashing out emotionally as she tries to rebuild her life, noting that while her social media might show her out having fun, it hides moments of struggle. The verdict and sentencing felt like a whirlwind and surreal, with people expecting her to move on now that justice is served, but she admitted it hasn't been that simple.
Her mind still can't process that Silvagni was found guilty and jailed, and she feels mentally drained and exhausted. She has only recently returned to work in a casual role, which feels ten times more energy-draining. She hopes her story brings comfort to others in similar positions, emphasizing that such feelings are normal after sexual assault.
Court Proceedings and Judge's Remarks
During the trial, the jury heard that the victim arrived at a Balwyn North home after midnight, invited by Silvagni's model girlfriend Alannah Laconis. After earlier drinking, only Silvagni, Laconis, and Silvagni's former best mate Anthony LoGuidice remained. The victim had consensual sex with LoGuidice in an upstairs bedroom.
After LoGuidice left in an Uber, Silvagni lied to the woman, saying the Uber was cancelled and LoGuidice would return. Instead, Silvagni entered the dark bedroom, impersonated LoGuidice, and digitally raped her twice. In sentencing, Judge Greg Lyon described the attacks as vile, noting Silvagni used cunning, planning, and strategy and even tried to pressure LoGuidice into taking the blame. Judge Lyon praised media reporting as objective and accurate before imposing the sentence.
