Belfast rape survivor returns to launch book based on horrific experience

Q Radio News

An American author raped in Belfast nine years ago has returned to the city to launch her debut novel.

Winnie Li was attacked by a 15-year-old boy as she walked in broad daylight through Colin Glen Forest Park. 

She had been in Northern Ireland in 2008 to attend a conference celebrating the peace process.

The new book - Dark Chapter - is fiction, but is based on the horrific experience here.

Winnie says she wants other rape victims and survivors to know they are not alone.

She says writing the book challenged her to consider the perpetrator of the crime.

The 38-year-old admits she now has a much more positive view of Belfast, in contrast to the immediate aftermath of the attack.



Winnie returned to Northern Ireland this week for a reading at the Crescent Arts Centre as part of the Belfast Book Festival.

She will also take part in a panel discussion at The Dock Cafe in Titanic Quarter on Monday night.

'Lifting the Taboo: A Community Discussion Panel about Sexual Assault and Abuse'
Monday, June 19th
7:30-9:00pm 
The Dock Cafe, Titanic Quarter
2K Queens Road, Belfast BT3 9DH
Admission: honesty policy for pricing