The young woman raped by Tom Silvagni is bravely speaking out, opening up about the pain and distress of the high-profile case as she throws her support behind a major sentencing reform.

Silvagni, the youngest son of former AFL player Stephen Silvagni and his celebrity wife Jo, was convicted of two counts of rape on December 5.

He was sentenced to six years and two months in jail — with a non-parole of period of three years and three months — but has since launched an appeal, claiming his two rape convictions should be quashed because a judge made errors during his trial.

Now months on, Silvagni’s victim has spoken out about the court process that left her baffled and disgusted.

“He was able to get multiple people that knew him to write about how good of a person he still was,” she said.

“What wound me up the most was knowing that if you asked me how good of a person, I thought the perpetrator was, even a day before he committed the crime, I 100 per cent would have said the exact same thing.”

The victim described the entire experience as surreal, saying “everything feels so surreal still. And I think it’s going to be like this for a while. There’s a lot to take in.”

Tom Silvagni was jailed for six years and two months.Tom Silvagni was jailed for six years and two months. Credit: 7NEWS

Meanwhile, the Victorian government is moving to axe good character references in court, a tool criminals routinely use to talk their way out of jail.

“This is another way of putting safety first, particularly when it comes to the safety of women,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.

Character references are already restricted in certain circumstances, but only in cases relating to child sexual abuse. The proposed new laws would create a blanket ban.

It’s a change advocates and devastated families have long fought for.

“It’s completely dehumanising to have to hear the person who ruined your life, essentially, lauded as a great bloke or a pillar of the community,” sexual abuse survivor Harrison James said.

James welcomed the momentum building across the country.

“New South Wales just came forward with it. The ACT followed and now Victoria’s here today. And I think that’s really setting the standard for national momentum,” he said.

Tom Silvagni claims his rape convictions should be quashed because of errors by the trial judge. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)Tom Silvagni claims his rape convictions should be quashed because of errors by the trial judge. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

“If you’re committing crimes of that magnitude, you should not get the opportunity to defend your character,” said Natalie Gordon, sister of sexual abuse victim Ash Gordon.

But not everyone is on board. Lawyers argue it’s less about victims and more about politics.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to it. It’s simply populism. But people have a right to be sentenced fairly,” said Greg Barns SC from the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

The new laws will hit parliament by the middle of the year.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.

SOURCE: https://7news.com.au/news/tom-silvagnis-rape-victim-speaks-out-as-victoria-moves-to-ban-character-references-c-21778020