Survivor Faces Harassment Outside Court as Case Returns

Abby Prospere says she was verbally accosted by people believed to be supporting her attacker as her sexual assault case was resentenced.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 8:04pm

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A sexual assault survivor named Abby Prospere faced harassment from two women outside a Hartford, Connecticut courthouse as her case returned before a judge for resentencing. Prospere reported being sexually assaulted in 2019, and her attacker, Donovan Austin, pleaded guilty last year. However, one of the charges had been incorrectly assigned, requiring the court to revise the sentencing. Prospere said she was "verbally accosting" by people she believed were there supporting Austin, calling it "abuse on top of abuse." Advocates say retaliation against survivors who speak publicly is unfortunately common.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and trauma that sexual assault survivors face, even after their attacker has been convicted. The harassment Prospere experienced outside the courthouse is a reminder of the additional barriers and intimidation that survivors often have to endure as they seek justice through the legal system.

The details

Prospere was being interviewed by NBC Connecticut Investigates outside the Hartford Criminal Court when two women began shouting at her, accusing her of lying. Prospere said she was forced to defend herself and threatened to file a restraining order. The case was back in court because one of the charges against Austin had been incorrectly assigned, requiring the court to revise the sentencing. Prospere attended the hearing hoping for closure, but instead faced what she described as "abuse on top of abuse" from people she believed were supporting her attacker.

  • Prospere reported being sexually assaulted at an East Windsor hotel in 2019.
  • Austin pleaded guilty to the charges last year.
  • The case returned to court recently for resentencing due to an incorrectly assigned charge.

The players

Abby Prospere

A sexual assault survivor who reported being attacked in 2019 and has faced ongoing challenges and harassment as her case has progressed through the legal system.

Donovan Austin

Prospere's attacker, who pleaded guilty to the charges last year.

Beth Hamilton

The executive director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, who notes that retaliation against survivors who speak publicly is unfortunately common.

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What they’re saying

“Leave me alone. I will file a restraining order,”

— Abby Prospere, Sexual assault survivor

“Retaliation in some form is pretty common, unfortunately. The more public survivors are, the higher the chance of retaliation.”

— Beth Hamilton, Executive Director, Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the revised sentencing for Donovan Austin.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing trauma and barriers that sexual assault survivors face, even after their attacker has been convicted. The harassment Prospere experienced outside the courthouse is a sobering reminder of the additional challenges that survivors often have to endure as they seek justice through the legal system.