Former boyfriend says rape trauma took its toll as tributes paid to Jill Saward
The trauma suffered by Ealing vicarage rape victim Jill Saward along with her heartfelt campaign against sexual violence must have had a terrible impact, her boyfriend at the time has said.
David Kerr says he is “distraught over Jill’s death so young”.
The 51-year-old died after suffering a stroke earlier this week.
She became the first rape victim to waive her right to anonymity, to speak about a sexual assault after being brutally attacked at her west London home in March 1986, while her father Michael and boyfriend were battered and tied up at knifepoint by burglars.
Mr Kerr, 51, told the Daily Mail: “Speaking out and campaigning for other women can’t have been easy, always being reminded of her own rape, and I sometimes wonder what toll that must have taken on her.”
The brutal attack received widespread attention after judge Mr Justice Leonard said the trauma suffered by her “had not been so great”.
Mr Kerr, a roof fitter, of Purfleet, Essex, says he still has flashbacks from when a comfortable night in to watch TV turned into a terrifying ordeal.
He told the Daily Mail: “I am distraught over Jill’s death so young. She was so brave and strong. I feel I should have died instead of her.
“She once said that by talking about her ordeal, she was able to bury it, but I was never able to do that. I am constantly anxious and paranoid, hyper-vigilant for the next attack. It still haunts me to this day.”
Mr Kerr was hospitalised and suffered a fractured skull and a blood clot to the brain. He has been plagued by mental health problems. He has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.
The couple broke up a few months after the attack.
Ms Saward (pictured) later wrote about her ordeal, saying she had no issues with being “tagged” as a rape victim. “I make no complaint about this tag as it has enabled me to challenge politicians and work for change.”
She went on to advise police and the judiciary on how best to deal with sexual assault and rape cases.
She co-founded Jurors Understanding Rape Is Essential Standard (Juries) to campaign for mandatory briefings about myths and stereotypes about sexual violence in trials.
She is survived by Gavin Drake, her journalist husband of 23 years, and three sons.
Martin McCall, then 22, was jailed for five years for raping Ms Saward and five years for aggravated burglary.
Christopher Byrne, who was 22 at the time, was sentenced to three years for rape and five years for aggravated burglary and assault.
Gang leader Robert Horscroft, then 34, who played no part in the rape, was sentenced to 14 years for burglary and for assaulting Ms Saward’s father.
Byrne’s brother Andrew was beaten unconscious in jail before he could be questioned by police and died after spending four years in a coma.
Tributes paid to ‘true heroine’ Jill Saward
Tributes have been paid to campaigner and rape survivor Jill Saward who died aged 51.
Ms Saward, the victim of the harrowing Ealing Vicarage rape in 1986, devoted her life to campaigning for the rights of other victims of sex attacks.
Attorney General Jeremy Wright said Saward’s “tireless campaigning opened the eyes of many politicians”.
He added: “(She) helped to ensure that victims are now placed at the heart of the criminal justice system.”
Her work included advising police and the judiciary on rape and sexual assault cases as well as being a strong voice for the rights of victims in the media.
She detailed her ordeal in memoir Rape: My Story – becoming the first victim to waive her legal right to anonymity.
Rachel Krys, Co-director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: “Those of us who worked with Jill always found her to be kind, caring and uplifting.
“Her strength, commitment and tireless campaigning for justice for sexual violence survivors was (and will continue to be) deeply inspiring.”
A spokeswoman for charity Rape Crisis England and Wales said she will be sorely missed.
The charity said: “Waiving her right to lifelong anonymity, she campaigned tirelessly for both legal and social justice for victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence.
“Jill was able to step outside of her own harrowing experience to highlight the needs and rights of all those impacted by sexual violence.
“Jill was courageous, pioneering and an inspiration. She will be sorely missed.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Jill Saward was a courageous campaigner for the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her work led to crucial changes in the law and attitudes”, while fellow MP Diane Abbott called her a “true heroine”.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tweeted: “Sorrowed to hear of the death of Jill Saward (Drake), heroic and remarkable campaigner for the victims of rape: much sympathy to her family.
The Rev Arun Arora, director of communications for the Church of England, said Ms Saward was a “brave woman who campaigned tirelessly”.
He said: “Her courage, fortitude and commitment made her an outstanding campaigner as well as a loyal friend to many.”
Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2017, All Rights Reserved. Picture (c) PA Wire.
