A brave rape survivor who gave up her right to anonymity has recalled the harrowing ordeal of having an abortion after she was sexually assaulted by her then-boyfriend.
Craig Koning, 36, was found guilty by majority verdict on two sexual assault charges dating back to 2004 following a week long trial in Auckland on Tuesday.Â
The former DJ, party planner and charity boss is now behind bars ahead of his sentencing which is expected to be handed down in 2021.
His former girlfriend Amy Coronakes made the brave decision to waive her right to have her name suppressed in media reports on the case when the trial began last week.
Now living in Australia, Ms Coronakes, 35, gave evidence at the trial via videolink after coming forward to police in 2018.Â
She told Daily Mail Australia she is not ashamed as she did nothing wrong and plans to be open about the traumatic experience with seven-year-old daughter Ava when she gets older.
The rape survivor now hopes she can inspire other victims to seek justice.
Brave rape survivor Amy Coronakes (pictured with her new husband Phil and her daughter Ava) who gave up her right to anonymity has recalled the harrowing ordeal of having an abortion after she was sexually assaulted by her then-boyfriend 16 year ago
Former DJ Craig Koning (pictured) is expected to be sentenced early in the new year
Now living in Australia, Ms Coronakes, 35, gave evidence at the trial via videolink after she came forward to police in 2018
‘I didn’t do this for me, I came forward to ensure he didn’t hurt anyone else,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘I lifted my name suppression because I am not ashamed.
‘I feel like sexual assault is treated similarly to mental illness, in that it isn’t discussed enough and there is a stigma attached to it.
‘If I can help one person feel safe, comfortable or strong enough to come forward, then I have achieved what was intended. To bring strength to others in the same situation.
Rape survivor Amy Coronakes (pictured) hopes to inspire other victims to come forward
‘When I was initially raped it was not spoken about at all, so I had no one to look up to. I had it lifted so that others feel they are not alone and that if I can get through this, so can they.’Â
Her comments come days after she posted a powerful quote from US actress Angelina Jolie on her Facebook page.Â
‘We must send a message across the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence- the shame is on the aggressor,’ the quote read.
Ms Coronakes moved to Australia for a fresh start, where she has since married and started a family.Â
‘Being raped had a huge impact on my life for a long time and I went from bad relationship to bad relationship until I met my husband, who is amazing. I had zero sense of self worth and believed I wasn’t worthy of love,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.Â
She added it was important to tell her story to Ava when she’s older so she knows if she’s ever a victim of abuse, that she is not alone.
‘I will protect her and love her no matter what,’ she said. Â
The Auckland District Court heard Koning flew into a rage after his girlfriend, aged 18 at the time, surprised him and a friend by turning up at their Auckland with a home-cooked meal, the New Zealand Herald reported.
‘Looking back, I feel like a bit of an idiot for having a go at her bringing food over,’ Koning told the court last week.
‘I wouldn’t say I mistreated her. I would say it was a bit of an overreaction.’
The court heard Ms Coronakes locked herself in the bathroom to escape her boyfriend, who forced his way in and then chased her into the bedroom where he raped her twice.Â
Koning denied he raped Ms Coronakes and threatened to take his own life the next day if she told anyone.Â
The defence told the court Ms Coronakes’ claims were ‘completely false’ and claimed she reported the rape to seek revenge against her former boyfriend not supporting her during the pregnancy.
Former Floating Foundation boss Craig Koning (pictured) is behind bars after he was found guilty of raping his then-girlfriend twice at his Auckland unit in 2004
Now based in Australia, Amy Coronakes (pictured) waived her right to a name suppression order, telling Daily Mail Australia that she is not ashamed of what happened
The brave rape survivor shared this poignant quote on her on her Facebook last week
The jury spent two days deliberating before they reached a majority verdict after they were unable to reach an unanimous decision.Â
Ms Coronakes’ mother Glenis Parker was in court to hear the majority guilty verdict on Tuesday afternoon and was on the phone to her daughter moments afterwards.
‘Amy was telling the truth, and they believed her. I’m just proud of Amy coming forward and telling the truth,’ Ms Parker told reporters outside court.
‘This case was about Amy.’
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A Stuff investigation into claims the former Floating Foundation boss allegedly bullied six staff crew members on his charity expeditions as part of their #MeTooNZ movement prompted Ms Coronakes to come forward to police in 2018.
She sent Koning a Facebook message six years earlier, declaring she would go to police if she found out if he hurt another person again.
‘I’m not afraid of him any more… I’m in a much better place in my life than he will ever be,’ Ms Coronakes told Stuff.
‘Honestly my, focus was to make sure no one else got hurt. Now, it is about me healing.’
The court process and procedures to lift name suppression took a financial and emotional toll on Ms Coronakes.
She had to fork out $3,500 and write a letter proving she was of sound mind.
‘That was almost more painful than the trial. When a victim has to prove they’re capable of making a decision for themselves, that’s just wrong,’ she said.
While a formal year-long Charities Services investigation resulted in no outcome, Koning confessed to Stuff in 2018 he treated female staff badly and engaged in inappropriate behaviour, including ‘excessive drinking and nudity’.
The Floating Foundation board addressed the allegations at the time and described his behaviour unacceptable.
‘Craig’s conduct in managing the ship, and taking care of our people, the volunteers and crew who are the life of the Floating Foundation, has been unacceptable,’ a statement on its website read.
The court heard Ms Coronakes (left) locked herself in the bathroom to escape her boyfriend, who forced his way in and then chased her into the bedroom where he raped her twice
‘We are saddened to learn that the behaviour of their leader made some members of the crew feel bullied and the threatened, and saddened that our management structure failed to provide a quick response to warning signs and complaints so that the situation could be mediated.
Koning founded the Floating Foundation after he saw a need in remote communities.
‘My experience as a DJ, event and party planner, student and sailor didn’t prepare me for this human, real and impactful experience,’ his LinkedIn bio states.
‘Since then, Floating Foundation has expanded into an operation that connects volunteers, brings medical training and supplies, supports research work and helps bring self-reliance to remote locations.’
‘I’ve been challenged each year in different ways, learning to lead in different environments. Slightly different to leading a sailing team through a storm.
‘The storms will still come, just in different forms.’
