A man who was sexually assaulted by another male has outlined the huge double standard that Tom Silvagni’s rape victim is being forced to endure.
In 2019, Reuben Williams was sexually assaulted by one of his colleagues, then Cricket Australia communications boss Timothy Whittaker.
Whittaker was eventually found guilty, but spared jail.
In an Instagram clip, Williams said it was time for online trolls to leave the female victim – in her 20s – alone and let her rebuild her life after she was assaulted by Silvagni at his parents’ home in January 2024.
‘I’ve been following the comments about the Silvagni rape victim…and what she is doing is spreading awareness,’ Williams said.
‘I am calling out the double standard when a man talks about sexual assault compared to a woman.
A man who was sexually assaulted by another male has outlined the huge double standard that Tom Silvagni’s rape victim is being forced to endure (pictured, victim Reuben Williams)
In 2019, Reuben Williams was sexually assaulted by one of his colleagues, then Cricket Australia communications boss Timothy Whittaker (pictured)
‘The backlash she has received is straight up sexism.’
Williams pointed out when he frequently posted about his case, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
But when the Silvagni victim has used social media in a bid to spread awareness, she has been told by some to move on with her life.
‘What is the difference?, Williams asked.
‘Even after the guilty verdict, she has been accused (by some) of attention-seeking.
‘She is doing an exceptional job and could end up saving lives by (bravely) telling her story.
On December 17, Tom Silvagni swapped his privileged life of comfort in suburban Melbourne for the four walls of a jail cell after he was sentenced for raping his friend’s girlfriend.
Silvagni, 23, was sentenced in the Victorian County Court to a maximum six years and two months, with a non-parole period of three years and three months, after he was found guilty of two counts of rape.
Tom Silvagni has swapped his privileged life of comfort for the four walls of a jail cell after he was sentenced for raping his friend’s girlfriend
The attack unfolded on January 14 in 2024 in a bedroom at the Silvagnis’ mansion owned by his famous parents – AFL legend Stephen Silvagni and TV host Jo Silvagni
Silvagni’s girlfriend Alannah Iaconis has stood by her boyfriend, who is now behind bars
His parents are AFL legend Stephen Silvagni and TV host Jo Silvagni.
Reading her victim impact statement directly to Silvagni, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described the premeditated and calculated nature of the attack and the devastating, lifelong consequences she has since endured.
‘You can continue denying for the rest of your life, but we both know that deep down, you are very much aware of what you did to me that night,’ she told him.
‘What you did was not a mistake. It was premeditated. You planned this in your head and came to the conclusion that it was a good idea.
‘Your actions that night have changed the way I trust, the way I sleep and the way I move through the world now.
‘It was an intentional deception that required planning, calculation and a willingness to violate another human being. It’s actually terrifying that someone you thought you knew and trusted could do something so evil.’
Silvagni’s family vowed to appeal his conviction.
‘Jo and I, together with our family members and friends, are so disappointed with the outcome,’ Stephen Silvagni said before breaking down in tears.
‘We all love and support our son Tom. Our son continues to maintain his innocence and we stand firmly behind him.
‘We will be considering our options to appeal and shall not be making any further comments on this case. Our goal is to clear his name and bring him home.’
