Tom Silvagni Sentenced to Over Six Years for Rape: Suppression Order Lifted in High-Profile AFL Family Case

Warning: This article contains details of sexual assault that may distress some readers.

Tom Silvagni, the 23-year-old youngest son of AFL legend Stephen Silvagni and television personality Jo Silvagni, has been sentenced to six years and two months in prison for the digital rape of a woman in his family’s Balwyn North home. The County Court of Victoria handed down the sentence on December 17, with a non-parole period of three years and three months.

abc.net.au

Tom Silvagni, son of AFL star, sentenced to more than six years …

The case, which gripped Melbourne due to the Silvagni family’s prominence in Australian football, was shrouded in secrecy for over 18 months under a suppression order. Lifted on December 11 by Judge Andrew Palmer after Silvagni’s conviction, the order had prevented media from naming him or linking the crime to his famous relatives. Despite the gag, social media speculation ran rampant, with even a judge noting the identity was “common knowledge” in some circles.

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Jackson Architecture-County Court of Victoria

Silvagni was found guilty on December 5 of two counts of rape following a two-week trial. The assault occurred on January 14, 2024, after a night of drinking with friends. The victim, a lifelong friend of Silvagni, had consensual sex with her boyfriend in a darkened bedroom before he left in an Uber. Silvagni then entered the room, pretended to be the boyfriend, and digitally raped her twice—once while spooning her and again while restraining her.

abc.net.au

Tom Silvagni’s victim tells pre-sentence hearing she is haunted by …

In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman confronted Silvagni directly: “Tom Silvagni, you raped me. Not once, but twice. You know this, I know this, and now so does everyone else.” She described the ongoing trauma, saying the incident haunted her “every single day.” Judge Gregory Lyon praised her courage, calling Silvagni’s actions “egregious, callous, and shameful,” marked by a lack of remorse and self-interest, including forging an Uber receipt to create an alibi.

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Silvagnis are Carlton blue and through | Herald Sun

The suppression order, granted mid-2024 on mental health grounds—including risks of psychiatric harm and suicide—required separate legal teams and extensive hearings across multiple courts. Media outlets fiercely contested it, arguing it undermined open justice. Experts like media lawyer Justin Quill highlighted how such orders favor those with financial means, noting Victoria’s high issuance rate (over 487 this year).

theaustralian.com.au

Tom Silvagni sentenced after twice raping woman | The Australian

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson called for a review, stating orders should not shield offenders from accountability. Sexual assault advocates warned against mistaking perpetrators’ distress for genuine mental health concerns over “the shock of being held accountable.”

Silvagni, brother to St Kilda player Jack and grandson of Carlton premiership icon Sergio, maintained his innocence throughout. His family, including parents Stephen and Jo—who attended court proceedings—has indicated a possible appeal. Stephen Silvagni, emotional outside court, said: “Our son continues to maintain his innocence, and we stand firmly behind him.”

afr.com

AFL great Stephen Silvagni breaks down as he claims rapist son Tom …

The case exposes tensions in Victoria’s justice system, where open courts clash with privacy claims in high-profile matters. As Silvagni begins his sentence, the victim’s vindication stands as a testament to resilience amid scrutiny.