Brave woman forgives taxi driver who raped her after she fell asleep in public spa

A rape survivor has forgiven the taxi driver who sexually assaulted her while she slept in a public spa, but said the ordeal has left her terrified to walk more than 15 metres from her front door. 

Megan Bales, 30, was raped by Hayas Kardo after falling asleep in a spa at Adelaide Aquatic Centre in September 2018.

Kardo, who was found guilty last November, waited for Ms Bales to doze off before using the spa’s bubbles to hide his heinous assault. 

Ms Bales confronted Kardo in the District Court on Thursday to deliver a victim impact statement, saying she now struggles to leave her house out of fear. 

Megan Bales, 30, said she was let go from her job, suffers from ‘crippling’ anxiety, nightmares and panic attacks, and later turned to alcohol to cope with her trauma

Kardo, who was found guilty last November, waited for Ms Bales to doze off before using the spa’s bubbles to hide his heinous assault

‘You will never begin to understand the impact your selfish and depraved act that day has affected me,’ she told Kardo, who appeared unmoved, ABC reports. 

‘I have no room in my heart for hate, so today I choose to forgive you for what you’ve done because I deserve to be free of hate, feel free of fear and free of despair.’

Ms Bales said Kardo’s actions have changed ‘every aspect’ of her as a person and revealed her mental health deteriorated after the attack.

The former chef said she was let go from her job while suffering from ‘crippling’ anxiety, nightmares and panic attacks – which she still endures to this day. 

She later turned to alcohol to cope with her trauma, leading to numerous stints in hospital. 

Megan Bales, 30, was raped by Hayas Kardo after falling asleep in a spa (pictured) at Adelaide Aquatic Centre in September 2018

‘I can’t walk more than 15 metres from my house without having a panic attack or thinking someone is behind me and for a long time I was scared of everyone.’ 

Ms Bales’ said her relationship with her fiance also fell apart in the wake of the incident.

She also told the court that she can’t bear to be alone, and has even locked herself inside her ensuite to feel ‘some aspect of security and ride out the night’. 

Kardo, who is in custody, will be sentenced later this year.