NBC
A brave teen who was raped when she was just 15 as part of a cruel game of sexual conquest has spoken out about her ordeal.
Chessy Prout’s identity was originally withheld when she accused a fellow student at the prestigious St. Pauls school in New Hampshire of sexual assault.
Owen Labrie was convicted of misdemeanor sex assault charges and a felony charge of using a computer to lure the student.
The now 20-year-old high school senior was reportedly engaging in a school tradition called the “Senior Salute” which involves seniors attempting to have sex with younger students before graduation.
Now Prout has chosen to speak out to share her story in the hopes of inspiring others.
“I want everyone to know that I am not afraid or ashamed anymore, and I never should have been,” Prout said during an interview with Today.
“It’s been two years now since the whole ordeal, and I feel ready to stand up and own what happened to me and make sure other people, other girls and boys, don’t need to be ashamed, either,” said added.
Prout reveals that at the time of trial, she had considered accepting an apology letter in order to avoid having to go to trial, but she decided against it.
“We had been prepared to just receive an apology letter,” she continued. “We had been prepared to finish this and just move forward with our lives and let them move forward with their lives, but, you know what, in the pursuit of justice I would’ve done anything.”
Prout took the stand and testified against her attacker for three days during the trial.
“It was something that was necessary,” she said. “Although it was scary and although it was pretty difficult…I wouldn’t be where I am today without having been able to speak up for myself during that time,” she said.
Labrie was acquitted on three counts of felony sexual assault and is currently appealing the other charges.
“I hope he learns,” Prout continued. “I hope he gets help. And that’s all I can ever hope for in any sort of process like this. Because if he doesn’t learn, he will do it to another young woman.”
