A student shared the story of how she was sexually assaulted and harassed by a lecturer at her university as she walked home late at nights.
Whitney Dowler, 22 years old, was studying at University of South Wales. Kary Thanapalan (49), relentlessly followed her through Treforest, Pontypridd before sexually assaulting and stalking her.
Thanapalan, who was a senior lecturer of aeronautical & mechanical engineering at Whitney’s university, fled after her friend turned up and scared him away.
Thanapalan was sentenced in May 2021 to two years imprisonment for the sickening attacks.
Whitney, a trainee librarian assistant, waived her right to anonymity and told Femail: “After following the cases Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa’s, I feel lucky that I am alive.
“What happened to these women could have easily happened to me that evening.
“It really hit home that Wayne Couzens was an officer in the police force and Kary was an academic lecturer at university.
‘These people are supposed to keep us safe. It’s frightening.

Whitney Dowler, 22, (pictured), from Bargoed, Wales, was in her last year at the University of South Wales when senior lecturer Kary Thanapalan, 49, harassed and sexually assaulted her
Whitney, a native of Bargoed in Wales, returned to university in September 2020 to finish her last year studying IT.
Two months later she met a friend at the local pub.
She said, “My friend and me had a few drinks and we caught up on uni life.”
“Around 10 p.m. I called it a day and hugged him farewell.
‘When it was pitch dark outside, it was my first time going outside.
“I lived only two miles away so I couldn’t afford to take a taxi so I started walking.”
Whitney spotted Thanapalan standing against a wall 20 minutes later as she approached a pizza shop.

Kary Thanapalan, 49, (pictured) of Egypt Street, Treforest, kissed Whitney on the face and groped her breast during his drunken attack
Whitney says, “The man was wearing dark clothes and he slurred,”
“I knew he was drunk. I avoided eye contact and ran past him.
‘But, he shouted “Baby!” and began to follow me.
‘Panicking’, I told myself to ignore him and he will soon go away.
“But he didn’t. He shouted, “Come here baby!” He kept harassing me and shouted ‘Come here baby!
“I started to run, and the man caught up to me and grabbed mine arm.
“He begged for a kiss from me and I tried to push him away.
“He managed to kiss my face and touch my breasts.
‘Terrified I shoved him off of me before running in a new direction.

Whitney (pictured) recounts Thanapalan chasing her through the streets, while saying that she was ‘breaking his heart’ as she tried to escape
Whitney was still pursued by Thanapalan and he didn’t give in.
Whitney said: “He kept saying that I was breaking his heart, and that I was going home with him.
I was sobbing and telling him “No!” over and over. I begged him for his forgiveness.
“At one point, we reached a busy street where a car pulled up right next to us.
“It was the male driver who asked me if it was okay.
“Crying, I told my friend that I was being watched.”
“The driver offered me a ride home, but I realized he was also a stranger.
“I didn’t know if he was dangerous, I couldn’t trust anyone.” So I said no.

Whitney (pictured), who thought she was going to be raped or killed, said Thanapalan didn’t flee until he spotted her friend running towards them
Whitney was followed by Thanapalan for 20 more minutes.
She managed to text a friend living nearby as she approached Treforest railway Station.
Whitney says, “As I reached the station car park the man grabbed me again. He groped my breasts.
“Suddenly, I spotted my friend far away and I screamed to get help.
“He ran towards me, screaming at the man for his life.
“He let go of my hand and fled.”
“I thought I was going be raped or murdered.”
Whitney reported the incident to police that night.
Thanapalan was finally arrested three days later, after police had tracked him via CCTV.
They also matched Whitney’s DNA to saliva on his cheek and clothes.
Whitney’s university called Whitney the next week.

Whitney (pictured), revealed that Whitney has panic attacks when someone walks by her on the streets now. Whitney also stated that she doesn’t know if she’ll ever feel safe again.
She said, “The person was from student assistance.”
They said they were sorry and offered to help me.
“I was confused about how they knew what had just happened.
“They then revealed that Kary had been a senior lecturer in aeronautical and mechanic engineering at my university for many years.
“I felt sick and couldn’t be believed it.”
Kary Thanapalan (49), of Egypt Street in Treforest pleaded guilty to the charge of sexual assault Whitney at Cardiff Crown Court.
He was sentenced to two years in prison
Whitney says, “Men like Kary make it so difficult for women to walk home alone, especially at night.”
“If someone walks by me on the street, I have panic attacks.”
“I don’t know if it will ever feel safe again.
“Kary targeted me that evening and I don’t know what would’ve happened if my friend hadn’t turned up and scared him off.”