A woman who said she was gang raped by three strangers in her home told a friend the next day that her alleged attackers were ‘very rude’ when she told them to leave the apartment. The exchanges of text messages between the woman and her friend were presented this week in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court, where the three men are on trial for joint rape.
Omar El-Sayed, 25, Rami Katlan, 26, and Mohammed Ali, 21, have all pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of aggravated sexual assault in company. Additionally, Adam Kabbout has pleaded not guilty to six counts of aggravated sexual assault in company over the events that occurred in the woman’s apartment at Belmore in Sydney’s south-west on April 16, 2022.
The woman, now 25, testified that when Kabbout arrived at her home, they went straight to her bedroom. After taking a shower, she found Kabbout and four other men outside her bedroom. The woman closed the door and expressed her discomfort, but Kabbout encouraged her to engage in sexual activities with the men.
Despite her protests, the woman said she was coerced into non-consensual sexual acts by multiple men. She recounted feeling scared and uncomfortable but complied with their demands out of fear. The woman expressed her distress to her friend in text messages, revealing the harrowing experience she endured.
In the hours leading up to the alleged rapes, the woman and Kabbout had discussed the possibility of group sex with his friends on Snapchat. The exchanges indicated a conversation about sexual activities that the woman did not feel comfortable with. The woman’s messages to her friend shed light on the trauma and violation she experienced at the hands of the accused men.
The trial continues to unravel the events of that fateful night, where the woman’s trust was betrayed, and her autonomy was disregarded. The emotional toll of the incident is evident in the woman’s communication with her friend, highlighting the lasting impact of sexual violence.
As the court proceedings progress, the woman’s courage in sharing her story serves as a reminder of the resilience of survivors of sexual assault. The case underscores the importance of consent, respect, and accountability in intimate encounters to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
The trial before Judge Leonie Flannery signifies a pursuit of justice for the woman who endured a traumatic ordeal. The legal proceedings aim to hold the accused individuals accountable for their actions and provide closure for the survivor as she seeks healing and recovery.
