22-year-old Sydney woman’s life ‘ruined’ by two men on night out

On a night out celebrating a friend’s birthday, something Jemma never thought would never happen to her did – and it changed her life forever.

A young woman has detailed the moment two strangers “ruined” her life in a sexual assault that left her with a debilitating medical condition that affects her every day.

Jemma Harris, 24, had her first ever seizure just hours after she was raped by two men as she crossed through a “poorly lit” grass reserve in Sydney’s CBD at night.

The horrific ordeal triggered a trauma-induced seizure and eventually led to an epilepsy diagnosis that has completely turned her life upside down.

“Before that night, I was a normal 22-year-old, and most importantly I was healthy,” she told news.com.au.

“I loved going out in the city with friends, I had a great job and I was super confident.

“Not a day has gone by that I have not been affected by that night 3 years ago, something I never thought would happen to me, until it did.”

Prior to the attack, Ms Harris had been at a family gathering for her aunt’s 50th. Afterwards, she went back to her parent’s hotel room, got changed, and then headed to a friend’s birthday bash on the other side of the city.

“I’d decided to walk because it was a nice evening and I’ve always really enjoyed walking,” she explained.

“But as I cut through this small grassy area, I noticed two men ahead. I wasn’t initially scared, maybe because I’d had a few drinks earlier in the night and was quite relaxed, but it quickly became clear I might be in trouble.”

The two men began calling out to Ms Harris, with the health science and nutrition student stating that their initially “charming” comments escalated, and turned into a “nasty” encounter that destroyed her life.

“They began making quite derogatory remarks about my outfit, and demanding to know where I was going, suggesting they wanted to come with me to a bar,” she said.

“When it was happening, I tried to stop them and told them to ‘stop’, but I could barely get a word out, it was as if I lost my ability to function normally.

“There was nothing I could do.”

Jemma Harris said she was 22 when she was sexually assaulted by two men on a night out in Sydney. Picture: Supplied

After, Ms Harris said she adjusted her pink skirt, and went to meet a friend who was picking her up in an Uber as planned.

“I was still stunned with silence, and was really disorientated, I had no idea where I was or what had just happened,” she explained.

“After making my way to the edge of the park, I saw the Uber and I remember looking at the driver and we made eye contact, and it was as if he knew that something had just happened.

“He came over and helped me get into the car. I didn’t say anything, but I began hysterically crying. I probably looked a mess, my hair was all over the place, but I couldn’t talk.”

In a state of shock, she attended the birthday celebrations.

“At the time, my friend whose birthday it was, she was upset that I was missing her celebrations for the family 50th, so I didn’t want to let her down after I told her I’d attend both,” Ms Harris shared.

“I also just didn’t have the emotional capacity to process what had just happened, so I just carried on as ‘normal’ as best I could.

“I remember being stood at the bar, deadly silent, and having no idea how on earth I was meant to tell someone what I’d been through.”

Ms Harris pictured shortly before the attack. Picture: Supplied

The men approached her as she walked through a grass reserve in the city’s CBD. Picture: Supplied

But not long after arriving, Ms Harris collapsed in the bathroom. She didn’t know it then, but she was having the first of many seizures that would soon become a regular occurrence in her life.

“I’d only been there for about 40 minutes when I suddenly felt like I was going to vomit,” she explained.

“Somehow I managed to get to the bathroom, and that’s where it happened. When I came to, I had no idea what was going on.

“My friends called an ambulance, but I was in such a state of confusion, doctors thought I’d taken drugs or had drunk too much.”

From then on, Ms Harris began having seizures regularly, initially leaving medical experts confused. She also said she “completely changed” as a person.

“For two months, as doctors were running all these tests to find out what was going on, I didn’t tell anyone what had happened.

“I was losing weight, I looked horrible, I couldn’t sleep alone and I was having panic attacks all day every day.

“I just wasn’t myself, and I was continuing to have these seizures that no one could get to the bottom of.”

Shortly after the attack, she suffered her first seizure which doctors said was brought on by extreme stress. Picture: Supplied

Eventually, it all came tumbling out after a close friend pieced things together, and asked what happened that night.

“She’d noticed I was flinching every time someone went near me or tried to touch me,” Ms Harris said.

“It was the catalyst that allowed me to open up – it also unlocked the mystery of my illness.”

With the horror of her ordeal out in the light, the young Sydneysider began seeing a psychiatrist and psychologist.

The doctors diagnosed Ms Harris with non-epileptic seizures that had been triggered by extreme stress.

But despite identifying the cause, two years on, they still affect her life daily.

“There are times when it is completely under control with medication, but there are also times when it can be triggered, it could be something such as tiredness or stress that sets me off, and it is completely debilitating,” she said.

“Every time I seize, I am reminded of those two men, and it can be really hard to deal with.”

Her non-epileptic seizures still affect her every day and says it has ‘ruined’ her life. Picture: Supplied

Most recently she was hospitalised during a trip to New Zealand. Picture: Supplied

Just recently, Ms Harris was on holiday in New Zealand when towards the end of her trip she suffered a seizure and ended up in hospital.

“My parents had to come over and get me, and once I was back home, I was sitting in my bedroom when I was suddenly overcome with anger.

“It was the most angry I’ve ever felt in my life. That was the moment that I realised just how much these men have ruined my life.

“Before this, I’d been fighting for my life and desperately trying to get my health back on track, I hadn’t stopped to truly think about how much had changed.”

Not wanting to relive the trauma of that night, Ms Harris said she didn’t report what happened to police.

The two random men who attacked her remain unknown and have never been identified.

Data shows one in four women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime but less than 5 per cent of sexual assaults are reported.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states that the rates of reporting sexual violence, such as sexual assault have historically been impacted by a range of factors including misconceptions about what constitutes sexual assault; mistrust of police and concerns relating to being believed and having to relive the experience.

Now, Ms Harris is trying to “live life” again, and has decided to share her story to raise awareness about the alarming rates of sexual assault and abuse in Australia.

“It’s an uncomfortable conversation, but nothing is more uncomfortable than sexual assault,” she said.

“Although we don’t like to think about it, it’s happening to more people than we think.”

She’s also fundraising for victims of sexual abuse and child sexual abuse by walking over 50km on May 25.

At the time of publishing, the GoFundMe has raised over $2500.

“This didn’t just impact me, it has impacted friends, families and relationships and I rely on my support system every day, one I am so grateful for,” she said.

“But there are so many who don’t have the same help. That’s why I am speaking out.”

Originally published as 22-year-old Sydney woman’s life ‘ruined’ by two men on night out