A victim of sexual violence wants to be a voice for others

Chloe was still a teenager when she was attacked

BBC Chloe Wilson stands by the river. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes, her face is close to the camera, and she wears a nose ring and earrings. The collar of her gray jacket is also visible — Chloe was still a teenager when she was attacked

A young woman who was the victim of sexual assault by a taxi driver driving her home after a night out said she wanted to be a voice for those who cannot speak out.

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

She previously spoke to BBC News NI, using only her namewhen taxi driver Paul Bryan, from Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal, was convicted of an attack that took place 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 who, if you feel like you can’t speak, will be your Jane Doe,” she said.

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

Last week Chloe met Geraldine Hanna, the Victims Commissioner for Northern Ireland

Chloe Wilson and Gerladine Hanna stand on the roof of a building overlooking the foyle of the River Derry. Chloe is on the left. the city's peace bridge, city hall and other buildings can be seen in the background. the River Foyle and the Derry coastal area can be seen in the distance. Chloe is wearing a gray jacket and white blouse and has long blonde hair. Geraldine on the right is wearing a white top and also has blonde hair. he also wears glasses. — Last week Chloe met Geraldine Hanna, the Victims Commissioner for Northern Ireland

Last week, Chloe met with victims of crime in Northern Ireland, Commissioner Geraldine Hanna, to discuss how the situation for victims and survivors can be improved.

“We both have the same vision, which is (the need for) a tougher sentence,” Chloe said.

Chloe said it was extremely important for others to know that “there is life after an assault.”

“You are more than what happened to you. You are not a product of your trauma. I used to see myself as a victim, but not anymore,” she added.

“I see myself as a survivor and capable of making change.”

“A Kind of Fog”

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

in September Bryan was sentenced to four yearshalf of whom are to serve a sentence in custody before being released.

During her seven-year wait for justice, Chloe said she fell into “kind of a fog”.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with… I’m an ordinary girl, someone’s daughter, sister, friend and someone very typical of a girl who grew up in Derry.”

Chloe stated that this seven-year wait is something no victim should have to endure.

“You deal with self-victimization. What have I done to make it my fault? The answer to this question is absolutely nothing.

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

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

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

Following Bryan’s conviction, the Prosecutor General’s Office (PPS) stated that “there was no undue delay on the part of the PPS at any stage” and that “sentence rests with the trial judge.”

It was stated that prosecutors first learned about the case in 2022, when PPS received the files from the police.

“After considering the evidence, a decision was made to bring charges against the suspect for sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault,” PPS said.

Chloe said the commissioner agreed tougher sentences were needed

Chloe Wilson and Geraldine Hanna sit on either side of a desk in the office. Chloe is standing on the left, wearing a gray jacket and a white top. Geraldine is holding a pen and writing in a notebook. they both have cups of coffee in front of them. AND — Chloe said the commissioner agreed tougher sentences were needed

Chloe said the justice system needed to adopt a more “victim-centred approach”, including universal “the right kind of therapy”.

He also believes that people who plead guilty earlier should not receive lighter sentences.

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

If any of the issues described in this story apply to you, help and support is available at BBC Action Line.