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Calgary sex assault victim speaks for first time since rapist photographed, posted attack online

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Calgary sex assault victim speaks out after attack was photographed, posted online
WATCH: A Calgary victim of repeated sexual assaults--whose attack was photographed and posted online--is speaking out. The horrific incident has had a devastating impact on her life. Nancy Hixt reports – Mar 22, 2018

Editor’s note: The identity of the sexual assault victim in this case is protected by a court-ordered publication ban. Olivia is not her real name.

A video on Olivia’s phone is a graphic lasting reminder of her repeated sexual assault.

The Calgary woman was drinking with friends, celebrating a birthday, when she passed out.

She woke up to Drayton Preston on top of her, raping her.

Preston, a close friend of Olivia’s at the time, had broken into her bedroom through a window.

An hour later, he sexually assaulted her again.

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She can’t remember many of the details that he has since admitted in court.

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“It stresses me out because it’s weird not knowing everything about what happened to you,” she told Global News.

But police found plenty of evidence of the assaults.

Preston used Olivia’s own phone to videotape and take pictures of the assault. He then posted them to his Facebook account.

“You’re doing the worst thing possible and you take it 10 steps farther,” Olivia said.

The video is still on Olivia’s phone.

“Him like touching me…pulling the blanket off…it’s the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Preston pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He’s been sentenced to 26 months in prison for the July 30, 2016 attack.

The victim said it’s like slapping him on the wrist.

The executive director of Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse agrees.

“I just throw my hands up in the air to hear that someone got two-and-a-bit years for a crime that is so predatory,” Danielle Aubry said.

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Preston will soon be eligible for parole, but Olivia said she will deal with the impact of his crimes for the rest of her life.

Every time she goes online, she worries a photo of her assault could pop up. She said she has no idea how many photos he took.

“I don’t know what he’s posted…literally seconds later I was blocked from his Facebook, so I have no idea what he’s posted.”

Olivia said the incident has inspired her to pursue a career working with survivors of sexual assault.

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