'Being raped was a death sentence for Levi'

In my role as home affairs correspondent, I met Levi shortly before her rapist was jailed.

I could tell she was nervous about being interviewed, but I also detected that fierce inner strength described by her family - a determination to tell her story and lend her voice to other survivors and victims unable to speak out.

During her interview she conceded that going through the criminal justice process was "very scary", but said she had "plenty of support" and felt compelled to help get her rapist off the streets.

"It would have been a lot harder not to do something about it," she told me, "I would have been stuck with that feeling of guilt, of not reporting it, in case there was another girl."

While I could tell Levi was struggling, like her family, I did not foresee the heartbreak to come.

In September 2023 Levi's rapist, Dos Reis, was jailed for eight years and four months, with an extended six-year licensing period.

With the criminal court proceedings over, Levi told her brother River how she had hoped for a fresh start but then realised everything she felt was "still there" and "nothing had changed".

River recalled that "she just shrunk and shrunk until it was like watching an impersonator trying to be my sister from memory."

Michelle described how Levi asked "different services" for help, but when appointments came through, she couldn't go because "it frightened her" and "increasingly" she turned to drugs to "shut it all off".

On 19 February 2024 - the one-year anniversary of the rape - Michelle said Levi had arranged a sleepover for her son with family.

She had planned a meal out with a friend to "mark the fact she'd actually managed to survive a whole year" since the assault.

Unknown to her family she had later cancelled and the next day they found her dead in her flat.

With tears in her eyes Michelle remembered: "Opening that living room door and just seeing her face... she'd passed away... there was literally no going back.

"People need to realise the longer-term impact that sexual violence actually has."

Michelle continued: "You see someone's been attacked and it's sad and people sympathise, they get a few messages.

"But it doesn't stop there, it gets worse-and-worse, their smile isn't real, they're struggling, just because it's not in the news anymore doesn't mean it's gone.

"Attacks like this destroy lives, not just hers, but her twin brother lost his twin, a little boy lost his mum and parents lost their daughter, the effect of what he's done is going to last generations."

River emphasised: "The weight of shame that victims feel should not be on their shoulders, they shouldn't have to spend every moment questioning themselves and we don't talk about it because it's messy, because it's emotional.

"We tell ourselves these women are so brave, when they're terrified of their shadow because it reminds them of the man behind them.

"I hope every victim that sits at home terrified, thinking they're alone, knows they're not the only one and there is support available."

The CEO of Rape Crisis England & Wales, Ciara Bergman, said "anniversaries are known to be a particularly difficult time" and the "right" support is "vitally important".

"Our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved Levi, particularly her family who are so poignantly raising awareness of the profound and enduring distress that sexual violence and abuse inflicts on survivors," she said.

"Poor mental health, including PTSD, anxiety and depression, is one of the most significant and lasting consequences."

To survivors she added: "We will listen to you, believe you, and work at your pace to figure out what support you need."

Rapist, Dos Reis is originally from East Timor and is still in prison. The Home Office called his attack on Levi "abhorrent" and said: "We will deport this individual at the earliest opportunity."

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by the issues raised, information on organisations that can help can be found on the BBC Action Line.