Rape victim tells of support which got her through horrific ordeal

Displaying once again the remarkable courage and emotional maturity which was commended by the trial Judge Peter Charleton the couple at the centre of the horrific attack and rape by Polish man Edward Piotrowski (45) have spoken out for the first time. The pair have broken their silence to encourage other women who are victims of rape to come forward, put their trust in the authorities and seek justice.

The couple were understandably reluctant to talk about the shocking events of November 25^th, 2007 when they were beaten, abused , raped and threatened with their lives by  a vicious Piotrowski a former Polish soldier from Nysa in the south of the country and with an address at Clonmullen Hall, Edenderry.

Convicted rapist Edward Piotrowski

“He’s in a place now where he won’t see the light of day for a very long time and he deserves what he got as we’re going to have to live with what happened for the rest of our lives but at the end of the day we will have to get on with our lives as well. We’re already given this two years of our lives and want to move on now and be happy,” explained the woman who said of her attacker, “In my opinion he’s not normal, he’s a psychotic person. Before the evidence I hoped he’d plead guilty and spare me going though it but he didn’t. I don’t believe he’s sick or has an illness, he’s just a bad person and deserves what he got.”

The pair were pleased with the severity of the sentence imposed on Piotrowski who got five life sentences, although they admitted to being afraid at times, very stressed and nervous as they awaited the outcome of the trial and the deliberations of the jury. During this time they and the woman’s family in Poland had been subjected to death threats but were reassured by the protection and security afforded by the Gardai.

In fact they could not speak highly enough of the Gardai, their handling of the case, the professionalism and support afforded to them at all times and also the counselling provided by the Rape Crisis Centre and the manner in which family, friends and workmates rallied around them and provided crucial morale support.

“Very often people don’t know what to say to you or how to talk to a rape victim, but I got great support. People who knew what happened I sensed they were on my side. I understand if they don’t know how to deal with the situation and are afraid to hurt your feelings. Work colleagues were great even a smile means a great deal and just asking ‘how are you’, they were all happy with the result and the sentence.

“The Gardai were brilliant all the time. I was working with one female sergeant and she’s the most amazing woman I ever met in my life, she is so confident and she gave me the confidence to go ahead and was always there for me. I had no fears he would be cleared when I saw all the work on the case by the guards and their efforts, I had confidence in the justice system. You have to believe in the system and tell the truth. You’re going to get justice once you tell the truth, it is difficult, but you must believe and you will see light at the end of the tunnel.”

They were anxious to get this message across to others.

“I would encourage other women to come forward and fight for justice, it’s hard work but there is justice in the end. We are very satisfied with the sentence and the ongoing help and back-up we got from the Gardai was incredible. At the end of the day we would not get justice without the Gardai and the courts. The court experience is not simple there is no point in saying it is, your private life is delved into, but if you want justice you must take the stand. It is difficult but I would recommend to anyone else to go ahead as there is no point in sitting back and taking it. I would say to other rape victims there is great support available, there is help available, don’t suffer in silence. I know that so many women are afraid and don’t come forward and that was also my first instinct. It’s your body, so private and personal but I believe all women should come forward.”

The importance of counselling and community support in helping them get through the last two years and the three week trial was also to the fore in their minds.

“There was intimidation of my family in Poland and he said to me that he would kill me or get someone else to and I felt he is going to do it one day, so you are unsure should you go for it or not. When my family was threatened I did have doubts as someone you love life is at risk and I felt I wanted to give up at that time. But the Gardai told me that I was able for it and gave me the confidence. Tell the truth and you will be fine, he has to pay for what he has done to me.”

She has no intentions of returning to live in Poland and resoundingly regards Ireland has her home.

“Ireland is my home now,” she smiles. “My boyfriend is Irish and all his family are so nice to me. When something like this happens you realise that the people really love you. I didn’t expect so much support from the system and community here as a foreign person. There really is great support here and I don’t believe I would get so much help in Poland.”

Were they now glad to have come forward to share their experience with the press?

“Sure, we’ll see,” answers the woman with a raised eyebrow, a strong trace of an Irish accent and more than a hint of a healthy suspicion of the media.