Shaughna Phillips, a former contestant on the reality television show Love Island, has disclosed that a man she accused of sexual assault, along with other women, has been found not guilty following a second trial. Phillips, 32, detailed her experience for the first time in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Phillips claims the assault occurred during a massage five years ago. She stated in her post that she informed her mother about the incident immediately after the appointment in 2021. She also confided in her partner, Billy, that same night, describing how the event made her feel. These disclosures were later used as evidence.
Upon reporting the incident to the police, Phillips learned she was the ninth person to accuse the man of sexual assault, with allegations spanning four police forces across the United Kingdom. She expressed shock, upset, anger, and confusion upon receiving this information.
This marks the first time Phillips has spoken publicly about the assault, acknowledging the outcome was not what she had hoped for, not only for herself and the other accusers but also for women in general. She noted that the man was found not guilty by a jury and emphasized the need to trust the justice system, while acknowledging its imperfections.
Despite the verdict, Phillips affirmed that she would go through the process again, stating, "We must. We must never allow abuse of any kind to go unspoken about. We must continue to speak up not just for ourselves, but for the generation of girls that come after us." She expressed a hope that future generations of girls will live in a world where they are believed and their voices are sufficient.
In 2024, the man faced a trial for the sexual assault claim and several other allegations. He was acquitted of some charges, including the one brought by Phillips. The man has now been discharged, and the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to pursue a third trial.
Fellow celebrities, including Shona Manderson, Zara McDermott, Ashley James, Katie Piper, Georgia Kousoulou, and Nicola McLean, have offered support to Phillips on social media.