The part of the Silvagni case everyone's missing.

This story discusses sexual assault, which may be triggering for some readers.

Last Friday, 23-year-old Melbourne man Tom Silvagni was found guilty of two counts of rape in the Victorian County Court.

At the time the news broke, the media could not report his name due to a suppression order that prevented its publication. He was referred to as a man from a high-profile family.

That suppression order was lifted overnight, with Judge Andrew Palmer ruling it no longer necessary.

Subsequently, headlines have become dominated by his surname, his football family connections and the shock of a familiar name in court.

But the story that actually matters isn't about the name. It's about what this verdict exposes.

Listen: Son of AFL great named as high-profile rapist. Post continues below.

Suppression, transparency and the hard fight for justice.

Over the course of the two-week trial, Silvagni denied he digitally raped a woman at his Melbourne home in the early hours of January 14, 2024. However, a jury found him guilty of two counts of rape. He faced a pre-sentence hearing on Friday.

During Friday's pre-sentence hearing, the woman Silvagni was convicted of raping delivered a powerful victim impact statement, according to several media outlets present in the courtroom. The woman can't be named for legal reasons.

Addressing Silvagni directly, she said: "Tom Silvagni, you raped me not once but twice… You know this, I know this and now so does everyone else."

She described his actions as "premeditated" and "calculated," before telling the court: "I stand here knowing you don't have power over my life anymore. You will be held accountable and I will move forward."

The maximum jail term for rape is 25 years.

Silvagni was first charged with rape in June 2024, but his lawyers successfully sought to have his case suppressed in the magistrates' court after arguing the publication of his identity could affect his mental health.

Suppression orders, such as the one applied in Silvagni's trial, are temporary legal measures designed to protect a fair trial or an individual's privacy.

Judges have discretion to lift suppression orders once a trial concludes, particularly when public interest outweighs the original grounds for secrecy.

In this case, the court lifted the order following the guilty verdict, noting that Silvagni would be under supervision in custody and that the trial had concluded. Judge Palmer also noted there had been extensive discussion online identifying Silvagni.

The decision reflects the legal framework around suppression in Victoria and the balance courts maintain between privacy, fairness, and transparency.

But as everyone rushed to name Silvagni, another story was missed.

In 2024, there were 7,121 victims of sexual assault recorded in Victoria, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic) noted 9,537 sexual offences were reported in 2023.

Despite thousands of reports, convictions remain a rarity.

In 2021, a Victorian Crime Statistics Agency attrition report found of sexual offence incidents reported to police between 2015–17, only about 25 per cent proceeded to a charge, and only a fraction of those resulted in proven outcomes (convictions or guilty pleas), meaning very few of all reports lead to convictions.

Factors such as evidentiary challenges, delayed reporting, and the requirement that offences be proven beyond reasonable doubt contribute to these low conviction rates.

Sexual-assault survivors frequently encounter obstacles that go beyond the courtroom. Social stigma, victim-blaming, and fear of public scrutiny can discourage reporting, while lengthy legal processes add emotional strain. Research from support organizations like 1800RESPECT and Safe Steps shows that survivors often experience secondary trauma during investigations and trials.

For survivors, these barriers can make navigating the justice system daunting, and contribute to a perception that sexual assault often goes unpunished.

The Silvagni verdict highlights that while the system can work, such outcomes are exceptional.

The fact there was a conviction here, means this case was a landmark one.

Ultimately, the Silvagni case is significant not just for the verdict itself, but for what it reveals about the wider justice system.

It demonstrates accountability is possible, but still uncommon; it underscores the persistent challenges survivors face; and it sparks a necessary conversation about privilege, transparency, and power in legal proceedings.

For women, this case marked a rare moment to see the system work — and to reflect on how much work remains to ensure justice is accessible, equitable, and transparent for all.

But it also raises questions about cultural attitudes toward sexual assault. The public's focus on names and family ties can eclipse the systemic realities that affect everyday survivors. By bringing attention to the legal and structural aspects of the case, rather than the football surname, media coverage can offer meaningful context, empowering readers to understand the broader implications for women in Australia.

For women watching this case unfold, this case goes beyond celebrity or media fascination. The verdict highlights structural inequities in the justice system, the rarity of convictions, and the emotional and practical obstacles that survivors face when seeking accountability.

— with AAP.

If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.

Feature image: AAP.