Rape survivor urges sexual violence victims to speak out

A woman who was raped in Aberdeen has urged victims of sexual violence to report what they have suffered to police.

Katie Johnston, 23, was assaulted in the city’s Union Terrace Gardens in January 2016 after a night out with friends.

The man who attacked her, Alasdair Mcdonald, 49, forced her to the ground and repeatedly struck her on the head.

Ms Johnston was then dragged into bushes and raped.

Mcdonald was convicted of rape at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. He will be sentenced next month.

Waiving her right to anonymity, Ms Johnston told the BBC: “I understand it was careless to go into the gardens at that time.

“But people should have the right to walk anywhere they want in a public place without the fear of being attacked.”

She added: “After the attack, I ran out of Union Terrace Gardens and onto Union Street to try and find someone to help me.

“I remember feeling like the attacker was running after me still. “I didn’t feel safe. “There was no one about who was able to help me. It was very quiet that night. So I decided to just head to the police station.”

Ms Johnston said she decided to waive her right to anonymity so that she could appeal directly to those who have survived sexual assault.

She said: “I feel there’s nothingishouldbeashamedabout. I didn’t do anything wrong that night. Sometimes victims are ashamed to come forward, or scared because they don’t know what will happen or they don’t think the police will believe them, but I am proof that it does work in the end. I went and reported my crime and even though there was some points when there was too many questions, I got through it. I stood up in court and I want to make sure others can do the same. As soon as you start talking to someone, it makes it easier.”