Sex assault victim: ‘Judy should realise rape is always violent’

After Judy Finnigan's contentious remarks about rape, Bethany Cleasby speaks out about her own ordeal.

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by Miranda Knox |
Published on

Judy Finnigan sparked outrage with controversial comments on chat show Loose Women, over convicted rapist Ched Evans' crime, last week.

The pro footballer was jailed for five years in April 2012 after being found guilty of the rape of a 19-year-old girl at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales. He was released from prison last Friday after serving half his sentence.

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During the TV debate about whether the disgraced star should be allowed to return to Sheffield United, 66-year-old Judy said the rape was "unpleasant" but "not violent" suggesting it didn't cause "bodily harm" and saying "she (the victim) had far too much to drink."

Judy apologised for any offence caused and said she was in no way trying to minimise the "terrible ordeal" but her point was Evans had "served his time."

However she received a backlash on Twitter and Judy's daughter was even threatened with rape by trolls.

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One woman who was shocked by Judy's comments is Bethany Cleasby, 26. She was 21 when she was raped while at uni.

Bethany- who's had counselling to deal with the attack- says: was horrified by Judy's remarks, and it brought back all the feelings of guilt I first felt when I was attacked. Judy should realise rape is always violent.

"Because I'd been drunk at the time, I felt like I was to blame so I didn't go to the police until two years later. It's comments like Judy's that stop women coming forward as they're scared they won't be believed. Rape is rape, regardless of the circumstances.

To read more of Bethany's story buy Closer magazine, out now.

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