Melania was on a date with another woman while travelling on a bus when they were attacked by a group of young men. They faced homophobic and sexist abuse and were physically assaulted. The attack affected Melania’s job, her friendships, mental health and ultimately meant she moved out of the UK as she no longer felt safe. The incident was widely reported in the media, causing further problems for Melania as the incident became public knowledge.
Following the attack, we gave Melania support, explored her options and helped her talk to the police. We supported her through the entire criminal justice process, including attending court with her. Ultimately, all of the perpetrators were found guilty of the homophobic assault and she was able to gain closure as a positive step toward moving on from the attack.
