A man who had sexually assaulted a woman 12 years ago recently sent her a Facebook message stating, “So I raped you.” Ian Cleary, who assaulted the woman during his university days, was finally sentenced to two to four years in prison in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The assault occurred when Cleary, now 32, sneaked into the victim’s residence hall, forced his way into her room, and assaulted her on the night before Christmas break while she was an 18-year-old student in her first semester on campus.
In 2019, Cleary sent a disturbing message to the woman on social media, claiming it was part of a rehabilitation program seeking atonement. However, this action caused the victim further distress, leading her to seek justice. During the sentencing, the victim expressed her disappointment in the system’s failure to protect her and the countless other women who have faced similar situations.
Although Cleary could have faced up to 10 years in prison for the assault, his eventual sentence was deemed inadequate by the victim’s lawyer, Andrea Levy. Despite the relief that the case was finally resolved, Levy emphasized that the sentence fell short of what Cleary deserved. The judge acknowledged Cleary’s admission of guilt and desire for forgiveness after a decade of silence, highlighting the importance of accountability.
After leaving Gettysburg following the assault, Cleary finished his studies in Silicon Valley, California, where he grew up. He later faced the consequences of his actions in a Pennsylvania court after admitting his guilt. Reflecting on the long-awaited accountability, the victim stated that the impact of the assault persisted over the years, affecting her and her family deeply.
Throughout this case, the victim’s message was clear: the system may have failed her initially, but ultimately delivered accountability, albeit with losses and delays. She emphasized that the impact of the assault lingered, affecting not only her but also those who witnessed the events unfold repeatedly.