Miss Universe’s sex assault ordeal at St Kilda pub

A former Miss Universe Australia is urging women to call out sexual predators, saying “enough is enough” after she was assaulted in a St Kilda pub.

Olivia Rogers has spoken out about the night she was sexually assaulted on the dance floor of the Hotel Esplanade in July 2019. Picture: Jason Edwards

Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Rogers has urged all women to stand up to sexual predators after being assaulted in a popular St Kilda bar.

Ms Rogers was at the Hotel Esplanade in July 2019 when Sean Kennedy, 46, sexually assaulted her on the dance floor.

Ms Rogers, a model and mental health advocate, wiped away tears on Tuesday as she told a court how she confronted Kennedy after he grabbed her buttocks, only for him to bark back: “If you keep talking I’ll do something much worse to you”.

Kennedy was kicked out of the venue after Ms Rogers complained to security before reporting the incident to police.

Sean Kennedy was found guilty of sexual assault. Picture: Josie Hayden

Olivia Rogers was assaulted by Kennedy in 2019.

The Frankston father, who the court heard has a history of similar offending, had contested the charge and initially claimed he was not the man pictured on CCTV of the incident.

He was found guilty of one count of sexual assault last week and fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for sentencing.

Ms Rogers agreed to speak to the Herald Sun about the distressing ordeal in the hope that her example would encourage other women to “stand up for what is right”.

Kennedy was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order and ordered to undergo alcohol rehabilitation.

“I felt like there have been too many times in my life, and friends of mine have experienced the same sort of thing, when things like this have happened and you just brush it under the rug and hope that you can forget about it and just move on from it. I just think enough is enough,” Ms Rogers said.

“I had had similar things happen to me in the past that really upset me, but I did not really use my voice and I felt like it was finally time to do that, and to make a point that you can’t treat people like that and get away with it.

Olivia Rogers wants to encourage women to ‘stand up for what is right’. Picture: David Caird

“If your gut is telling you that something feels really wrong then chances are it is really wrong and you should report it.

“Nothing is too small, if it has made you feel uncomfortable and it is inappropriate behaviour then it is worth reporting and following up.”

Ms Rogers said she hoped other women would speak up and make “creeps” accountable for their behaviour.

“It is OK to stand up for yourself and I encourage people to stand up for themselves and if that means actually saying something to someone if they are acting inappropriately, or taking it further and reporting it, you know it might just be reporting it to a security guard or it might be taking it further like I did and reporting it to the police,” she said.

“Your feelings are valid and it is important to follow through so that people don’t get away with this type of behaviour and they do receive consequences for their actions.”

Ms Rogers, who cited Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins as role models, said she hoped people would “stop being creeps.”

“That would be nice but unfortunately I think we are a long way off that.”

Magistrate Graeme Keil on Tuesday offered Kennedy an opportunity to apologise to Ms Rogers.

The Frankston father said he was sorry for what had occurred but added he had been traumatised by the crime too.

“I know this is not about me but … what I can share is … I have been affected,” he said.

The court earlier heard Ms Rogers was with friends when Kennedy grabbed her, before she swung around and asked: “Who just touched me?”.

“I did,” Kennedy said, before adding: “I do whatever the f**k I want.”

“And if you keeping talking I’ll do something much worse to you,” he continued.

Ms Rogers has recounted the assault in her new book ‘Find Your Light’ which was launched in Melbourne on Tuesday night.

“I included that chapter in the book for the same purpose as to why I want to talk about it now,” she said.

“I hope that it encourages others to use their voice and stand up for what is right when they can.”