A diner on Channel 4's First Dates has been hailed as an inspiration after bravely disclosing her experience of sexual assault during the show. Sinoa, a 29-year-old mental health officer, opened up to her date Liam, 30, about the trauma she suffered while at university.
The conversation turned serious when Liam asked about the Latin tattoo on Sinoa's body, which reads 'Per ardua ad astra'. She explained that it translates to 'through adversity to the stars' and serves as a reminder of her strength following a sexual assault.
Sinoa revealed that the attack occurred just weeks before her graduation when she was 21. She told Liam that a stranger slipped something into her drink on a night out, and she was raped. Recalling the moment she realised what had happened, she said she noticed blood and bruises on her thighs and told a friend that she thought she had been assaulted.
For seven years, Sinoa did not speak about the incident, which she said severely affected her confidence in dating. It was only after disclosing the assault to her mother that she began to tackle the shame she felt. Her date Liam was moved by her honesty, praising her for channelling her experience into her work as a mental health officer.
Viewers at home also expressed their admiration, with many taking to social media to call Sinoa brave and inspirational. One wrote: 'Yes Sinoa. Such bravery #FirstDates,' while another said: 'Credit to Sinoa who is a very brave woman to tell us her story #FirstDates.'
