Writing this book has given me back my freedom, says Bláthnaid Raleigh

Superlatives are shunned by rape survivor Bláthnaid Raleigh but words like brave, courageous, caring, and empathetic were unavoidable at the launch of her book, ‘Aftermath’, in Tyrrellspass last Tuesday evening. Writing the book has given her back her life and her freedom, the 27-year-old declared.

“I never thought I’d be here with my life back together. I never thought I’d get to pick myself up again. I always thought I’d live my life in misery. The freedom I felt in the last year, working on this book, has just been amazing,” Bláthnaid told the large gathering in The Village Barn.

Aftermath is a gripping read, well written, moving, often amusing and with Bláthnaid’s wit peppering it, and it is a unique look into the effects of rape and sexual violence, and the legal process.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner after the launch, Bláthnaid said working on the book has been most therapeutic, “sharing thoughts out loud”.

“It is not about me, it is about those who never got their stories voiced,” she said.

In her address, Bláthnaid said her book was dedicated to “the old me” and “to the victims of sexual violence, many of whom never get to speak out and share their stories”. She said she hopes it will be a comfort to them on lonely nights, to read it and know they are not alone.

It is also about the “perpetrators and monsters who thrive in silence”. They should know that their acts have consequences and will catch up with them,” she warned.

Bláthnaid said Aftermath is also for those who, thankfully, will never experience sexual violence. “Their support is so valuable and crucial,” she stressed, and she urged them to have that open conversation about sexual violence.

“Lastly and most importantly, Aftermath is for my family. Mam and dad (John and Deirdre), Austin and Diarmuid, Holly and Lisa, this is for you, for the grief and trauma you suffered. It’s a celebration tonight for where you’ve got me to because it is thanks to you, your support, your constant belief and your love, that I’m here.

“I’m so lucky I have you. You picked me up in the darkest times and I will never be able to express my love and gratitude. I know how lucky I am, and I look forward to celebrating this new chapter as you continue to help me through it,” Bláthnaid said.

Bláthnaid thanked all who helped her since the attack in 2019. Her family, her “great group of friends who have been there in the good times and the bad”, her co-writer Niall Kelly, and Patrick O’Donoghue and all at Gill Books, who published Aftermath, for “their support, backing and encouragement”.

Bláthnaid recalled how Niall listened to her “rant and rave for three or four hours” a week. I’d say 90% of it was should I buy this horse,” Bláthnaid chuckled.

“Niall managed to turn those conversations into a book, I don’t know how, but I promise it is not all about buying horses,” she assured the audience.

“Thank you for the care, compassion and understanding that you showed on such a sensitive topic, she told Niall.

“My inspiration for working with Niall was the fact that he was a man, and he was a sportswriter. I thought who better to write a book with a ranting, raving girl giving out about men. I never could have created anything better with anybody else,” she added.

“I have the best group of friends and I have leaned on them in good times and bad times, and they’ve always picked me up and supported me. They are the first to celebrate with me, the first to commiserate me, and I’m just so grateful. I know how important it is to have good friends and I know that I have excellent friends, so thank you all so much,” Bláthnaid said.

Concluding her address, Bláthnaid thanked the Village Barn for their hospitality “in their perfect venue” and all who attended as she sent Aftermath into the world, hoping “you enjoy it”.

She received a standing ovation.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner at the launch, Patrick O’Donoghue, senior commissioning editor with Gill Books, said they intend getting the book into the hands of important people and hopefully, bringing about changes.

Patrick had heard Bláthnaid speak on several occasions, but it was her NewsTalk interview with Joe Molloy on Off the Ball that grabbed his attention. Before the interview was over, he had contacted Bláthnaid about writing a book.

“Brave and strong, kind, caring and with a degree of empathy that is incredible, are words that describe her, but most important, she is great craic,” he told the audience. “It is my unequivocal pleasure to declare tonight is all about you,” Patrick told Bláthnaid.

Aftermath was officially launched by Niall Kelly, who co-wrote the book. He told Bláthnaid to be proud of what she had achieved and the audience to have the “important conversations and spread the word”.

From speaking to locals at the launch, it is clear that Bláthnaid and her family are highly respected and much loved in the community.

Her mother Deirdre explained that Bláthnaid has been working with outreach programmes and trying to get the message across to younger men that sexual violence is unacceptable, and to foster a proper understanding of consent.

She recently met with the minister for justice and garda commissioner, and she has done training videos for Templemore Garda College on how to deal with sexual assault victims when they come to court, Deirdre said. Bláthnaid has recently started a Masters in Education course.