Two brave rape survivors have spoken out after being betrayed by their ‘friend’ leaving them both with PTSD.

Alex Bhengu-Smith, 31, and Violet Fox, 33, were teenagers when they were attacked by someone they thought they could trust, Paul Callanin.

They have now waived their rights to anonymity to speak to the Glasgow Times after finally getting justice.

We previously reported how MMA fighter Callanin, 35, of Bonhill, preyed on three different victims in West Dunbartonshire between 2005 and 2013.

Alex, from Alexandria, has suffered panic attacks since being raped and broke down in tears after Callanin was finally found guilty at the Glasgow High Court earlier this month.

Glasgow Times:

READ MORE: Ukrainian mum reveals what it is like to live on Glasgow cruise ship

She said: “I was really young and thought I would have been safe with him, I just wanted to listen to music and hang out.

"Since we were in the same friend group, I worried I would be shunned if I came forward about being attacked.

“Women are often not believed, and you have this fear people will turn their back on you not the attacker.

“My body had been running off anxiety and fear throughout the trial. I broke down in tears when we finally got the verdict we were hoping for. I was sobbing with sheer relief.

“I didn’t know if it was happy or sad but I cried from my whole body for each of us and everyone else affected by this animal.

“Now I want to give encouragement and hope to other survivors, I came forward and helped get a predator convicted so it is possible.”

Glasgow Times:

Callanin also raped Violet, 33, from Dumbarton, who lost their job and flat after suffering PTSD from the attack.

Now they feel they can “take on the world” and warned “the clock is ticking for predators” who want to keep their victims silent.

Violet said: “Paul is a major danger to women, he has done this to multiple people and had to be stopped.

"You never think a pal will turn around and take advantage of you, you should feel safe with your friends.

“Most attacks are committed by people you know, it isn’t always a boogey man hiding in the shadows.

“Being raped leaves you with a feeling of shame, I am the victim but I felt like I had done something wrong.

“Now he has been found guilty I feel ready to take on the world, I am not scared anymore.

“Paul’s conviction has brought me relief and some closure. I want to move on with my life now.

“The clock is ticking for predators who think they can keep us silenced and get away with it."

Glasgow Times:

Violet said testifying in court was almost as bad as the attack, and attempted to take their own life as the stress of the trial became overwhelming.

They hope to see more support for victims to come forward after feeling like they were the One on trial.

They said: “The trial was really hard as it brought it all up for me again. I tried to take my own life last year because the stress got so much.

“It was such a weight on me and awful for my family, victims don’t go through all this just to lie but we are so scared we won’t be believed.

“It was terrifying to testify, it felt almost as bad as the actual attack itself.

“The whole thing was disgusting, I felt like I was the one on trial.

“Victims struggle enough to build up the courage to come forward so to deal with that as well is a nightmare, it keeps survivors speaking out.

“I would like to see more support for victims in court in the future.”

 

Alex said: “During the trial I felt sick, I couldn't sleep or eat from stress.

"It was a horrible thing to go through.

“We need to make it easier for victims to come forward, we need to believe them and to stop this from happening in the future.”

Glasgow Times:

Detective Chief Inspector Hannah Edward, head of Public Protection for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire Division, said: “We welcome the conviction of Paul Callanin for serious sexual offences.

“I hope his conviction will bring some comfort to his victims and their families and our thoughts remain with them.

“We treat all reports of sexual crime – no matter when the offence happened – with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity with the aim of bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to justice.

“Anyone who has been subjected to abuse should feel confident in coming forward to police and that the matter will be thoroughly investigated while being supported by the relevant agencies.”

You can call Rape Crisis Scotland for help on 08088 01 03 02 You can also contact Women's Aid on 0131 226 6606.

These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate:

Samaritans – for everyone Call 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org