Woman who was raped by boy when she was 17 encourages others to seek support

A woman who was raped by a boy when she was 17 has encouraged other victims and survivors to seek support.

The survivor said she wanted people to know "that it's ok to come forward and be heard, no matter what the outcome is".

Thomas Woodall was 16 years old when he raped and sexually assaulted the girl on their first night on campus at Hartpury College in 2023.

A court was told how the survivor told a friend afterwards and that friend then told their parent. The college was informed and police were notified.

After an investigation by the Constabulary's Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges.

Following a trial at Cirencester Courthouse in August this year, Woodall was convicted of one count of vaginal rape and one count of sexual assault by digital penetration. He was acquitted of one count of oral rape.

A statement from the victim was read to the court at the hearing. She said: "When I was 17 years old, I became a victim of rape. I want to share how what happened to me has affected not only my time at college but also my life now.

"I decided to enrol at Hartpury College to have a fresh start in a place surrounded by people who loved agriculture and animals just like me. I wanted to make new friends, meet new people, and experience the things that people my age had been enjoying, as I had missed out on that whilst working.

"The assault I endured on my very first night after moving into college was not just a single event; it became the night that changed my sense of safety, trust, and self-worth. These are all feelings that are still ongoing, just over three years later.

"Although the rape happened when I was 17, its effects have not stayed in the past. They continue to affect my mental health, my confidence, my relationships, my education, and even the ability to seek medical care for certain matters.

"What happened that night changed the course of my life and stripped away the things I loved and enjoyed - my freedom, intimacy, and trust. Worst of all, it changed who I used to be, someone I never will be again, and I continue to live with the consequences every day."

His Honour Judge Ian Lawrie sentenced Woodall, now aged 19, at Gloucester Crown Court on 14 September to three years in custody, suspended for three years.

Woodall was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £4,380.

The judge said Woodall would need to be sentenced as a child due to the age he was at the time of the offence, rather than being sentenced as an adult, and that the sentencing guidelines at youth court are focused on rehabilitation.

The Crown Prosecution Service wrote to the Attorney General's Office to request the sentence be referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, and the request was rejected earlier this week.

Woodall's defence barrister told the court that at the time of the offences Woodall was a relatively young 16-year-old in terms of life experience, with limited previous relationships with girls.

It was said in court that he had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and that he did not present a risk of future harm.

Following the sentencing, the survivor said: "The outcome in court wasn't what I expected and I'm disappointed by the sentence, but the main thing is I want people to know that this behaviour shouldn't be normalised.

"I want both females and males in college to know that it's ok to come forward and be heard; no matter what the outcome is, you can come forward and seek support.

"That is what I always wanted people to say to me. No matter what anyone else may say, you know when someone does something to you what the truth is, you know if they are guilty or not and you are the one who can change your life for the better."

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Elle Macleod from the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team said: "The survivor in this case should be commended for her courage in coming forward to the police, and her commitment to the investigation. The strength she demonstrated in giving evidence in front of a jury is remarkable.

"I urge anyone who has suffered sexual violence to come forward. I do not underestimate how difficult it can be to report rape and sexual assault to the police, but we have a dedicated team of detectives within Gloucestershire Constabulary who tirelessly investigate these types of offences.

"We work alongside a specialist team of lawyers at the Crown Prosecution Service, and together we are committed to securing justice for victims and survivors of sexual abuse."

If someone has sexually assaulted you, help is available. You can contact the police by calling 999 in the case of an emergency, or calling 101 or reporting online for non-emergencies: https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/ 

Speaking with police and going through the criminal justice system is not something every victim/survivor wants to do.

Support is available from partner agencies for all victims and survivors, regardless of whether they choose to go through the criminal justice system or not – do not suffer in silence. 

The Survivor Pathway is an online resource for anyone wanting to know more about sexual violence support services in the South West: https://survivorpathway.org.uk/