Woman writes defiant open letter to sex attacker
A woman who was violently assaulted outside her home has written an open letter to her alleged attacker as part of a brave campaign to encourage other victims to speak out.
Ione Wells was attacked in the early hours of April 11 while walking home from a train station in north London.
In the letter, entitled “A Letter to my Assaulter”, the 20-year-old describes how she was pushed to her knees and smashed against the pavement by the teenage culprit.
“Did you ever think of the people in your life?'” the Oxford University student begins.
“I don't know who the people in your life are. I don't know anything about you.
“But I do know this: you did not just attack me that night. I am a daughter, I am a friend, I am a girlfriend, I am a pupil, I am a cousin, I am a niece, I am a neighbour, I am the employee who served everyone down the road coffee in the café under the railway.”
Ms Wells was saved by neighbours who heard her cries for help.
She writes how her ordeal has only strengthened her faith in community to stand “like an army”.
“You, my attacker, have not proved any weakness in me, or my actions, but only demonstrated the solidarity of humanity."
“I’m sure you remember the 7/7 bombings. I’m also sure you’ll remember how the terrorists did not win, because the whole community of London got back on the tube the next day.
“You’ve carried out your attack, but now I’m getting back on my tube.”
The haunting letter has prompted an outpouring of support.
People have used the hashtag #notguilty on social media, which is the name of the campaign being run by the university to encourage better treatment of sexual assault victims.
“The #NotGuilty campaign felt only natural to begin after Ione's article, which was so strongly about community," one of the paper’s editors, Rebbecca Watson, told The Times.
"Whether one has experienced assault, or wishes to supply positive thinking, it's really important to take part."
The newspaper now plans to publish other letters from sexual assault victims.
A 17-year-old man has been charged with sexual assault and is due to face court in May.
