Stripper who was raped by a stranger with a BEER BOTTLE at a buck’s party in a farm shed in front of 14 men wants to tell her story to empower other women – but has to stay anonymous because of an archaic law
- ‘Sandra’ was attacked while working at a buck’s party outside Darwin in 2017
- She was held down by Kevin Willcocks, before he raped her with the bottle
- The 38-year-old felt shameful about the sexual assault and attempted suicide
- She is fighting to have her story told as an empowering healing move for victims
A stripper who was raped with a beer bottle in front of 14 men has spoken out about her harrowing ordeal that led to her trying to take her own life.
Darwin woman ‘Sandra’ was attacked by Kevin Willcocks while working at a buck’s party on a rural property outside the city in 2017.
The 38-year-old was held down by Willcocks who put a hand over her stomach before he raped her with the bottle in front of the group of men. ‘I just started bawling my eyes out,’ Sandra told news.com.au.
‘When he shoved that bottle in, my dignity, my self-worth, my control, my power was gone. I didn’t know what to do.’
Willcocks was convicted of rape in 2019 and sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail suspended after nine months.
Sandra’ was attacked by Kevin Willcocks while working as a stripper at a buck’s party on a rural property outside Darwin in 2017 (stock image)
He was released from jail in November, while Sandra has been forced to live with the brutal memory of her sexual assault and her vulnerability at the hands of the group of men.
Sandra was the only woman at the buck’s party and fled when a friend picked her up, who recommended she call police to report the assault.
She remembers making excuses to the police and apologising, thinking she had done the wrong thing when she was the clear victim.
Sandra’s attitude was driven by a societal push that made her feel shameful about her sexual assault, which led to her attempting suicide.
Sandra is working on a documentary with Jerboa Films in conjunction with the #LetHerSpeak movement to highlight sexual assault victims’ journey through the justice system.
Sandra was held down by Willcocks who put a hand over her stomach before he raped her with the bottle in front of the buck’s party (stock image)
The Northern Territory’s Sexual Offences Evidence and Procedure Act states that Sandra’s name or face can’t be published and any journalist who does can be put in jail for six months, while Sandra can also be incarcerated for releasing her own identity.
She is hopeful that the gagging laws can be amended and grant her the right to be able to tell her story.
Sandra believes that victim’s telling their story is empowering and is a huge step forward in the healing process.
‘I was raped and now I’m being gagged,’ Sandra said.
‘I absolutely think it’s right for the court to protect me, and others like me, by not publishing my name without my consent, but I want to be able to speak about it on my own terms, and in my own words. To learn that I could face jail seems crazy.’
The Northern Territory government called for submissions on the amendment in November, with a report due later this month.
Sandra is fighting for the right to be able to tell her story, which she believes is empowering for victims and can help in the healing process (stock image)