The Last Word with Matt Cooper Bláthnaid Raleigh On Her New Book 'Aftermath' And How The Legal System Added To Stress After She Was Raped
Oct 6, 2025
Bláthnaid Raleigh, a brave sexual assault survivor and author, discusses her powerful memoir, Aftermath, which details her five-year journey for justice following her assault. She highlights the inadequacies of the legal system and the profound impact of trauma on her daily life. Bláthnaid shares her decision to go public to inspire others and the importance of family support during her ordeal. Reflecting on her healing process, she reveals how writing served as therapy, allowing her to reclaim her narrative and sense of freedom.
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Naming To Help Others
- Bláthnaid chose to name her attacker after deciding she wanted visible examples of survivors to help others feel less alone.
- She felt anonymous success stories offered little comfort and wanted her case to be a relatable sign of hope.
Escape From The Party
- Bláthnaid describes being raped at a house party in Galway and escaping from a locked shed when two men came down for cigarettes.
- She walked the streets in shock, was found by strangers who brought her to the Garda station by about 6–7am for immediate help.
Timing Was Crucial For Evidence
- Early reporting allowed Gardaí to secure the house and collect DNA evidence within hours, which proved crucial at trial.
- Rapid access to the sexual assault treatment unit made a decisive difference in building the case.
