A women who claims she was raped by two men who spiked her drink has spoken out about her attackers who never faced justice.
Laura Currer, 25, said she was attacked by the pair following a night out in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
She claims she blacked out and woke up to find herself in a strange home, where she had been assaulted.
Laura has bravely waived her legal right to anonymity to speak out.
Despite immediately telling her father and reporting the attack to police, she was devastated when she was told the two men, who were arrested and questioned over the attack, would not be charged.
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But now, determined to see something positive come from her devastating ordeal, Laura is on a mission to help others overcome traumatic experiences.
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This month she will launch The Laura Currer Sparkle Foundation, which aim to help victims of any kind of trauma return to everyday life.
And Laura has revealed how she found strength during the dark days, weeks and months after the horrifying attack.
Laura said: The pivotal moment for me was when I came to the realisation that they will always have to be who they are, but I will always get to be me, and that was the beginning of meaningful recovery.
For a while I referred to myself as a victim, then a survivor, but now Im just Laura. This is a part of me, but its not the only part of me, and it cant define me.
Laura had everything going for her when she alleges she was attacked three years ago.
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The graduate, from Gosforth, Newcastle, was looking forward to starting a new job with the NHS in Leeds when her life was turned upside down on August 20, 2015.
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Laura believes her drink was spiked during a night out in Newcastle, of which she can remember very little.
When she awoke she was in a house with two men and claims one was assaulting her.
Laura said as she began to recall fragments of the night she realised she had been raped by both men.
Laura said: I went out and my drink was spiked. I blacked out and about two hours later I woke up and I was being assaulted by one of the men.
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I had flashbacks and I remember I was raped by both of them. I managed to get out the house in the morning.
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I reported it to the police and the process began of giving evidence and having a forensic medical examination.
They were arrested and bailed and it went to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) but they were never charged.
Following the alleged attack, Laura decided to continue her plans to move to Leeds where she completed an NHS graduate placement before returning to Tyneside, where she now works in an NHS Trust.
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And she has spent the past three years thinking of a way in which she could help other victims in a similar situation to herself. And the idea for the Sparkle Foundation was born.
Laura said: There are a lot of charities out there. I went to a couple of charities in Leeds and I had some negative experiences.
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A lot of sexual violence charities take a really hard line against men, but that isnt me.
That wasnt me before the assault and I didnt want it to be me after. I wanted to go on and have healthy relationships and have a family.
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Everything surrounding sexual violence is very grim, which is understandable, but there is nowhere that offers a hopeful perspective about life after rape.
I have spent the past year getting out and speaking with people. I have worked with the police and charities. I started thinking: “What can I offer that isnt already there?”.
The Sparkle Foundation launches on August 20, the third anniversary of the attack Laura reported to police.
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There will also be an app featuring curated playlists, workout routines, mindfulness tips and recipes.
Laura is now keen to reach out to anyone who has experienced a traumatic event and who is struggling with the normality of life again,
Laura said: My experience was of sexual violence, others will have very different experiences. We dont need to know what brings you to us, but we want you to know that we see you.
We understand your struggle, we respect you, and we celebrate you. In your quiet moments and the real moments of power and celebration, we are with you.
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Laura is currently working as a programme manager for an NHS trust but she hopes that one day she will be able to run Sparkle full time.
She has also been giving talks about her experiences.
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Laura added: Its totally changed my focus. I will never be grateful the assault happened, but Im really happy with the life Im living now.
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