Jo Silvagni, the mother of convicted rapist Tom Silvagni, has been seen in public for the first time since her dramatic exit from his sentencing hearing last week. She was spotted performing a household chore outside the Balwyn North property in Melbourne's east, the very house where her son committed his crimes.
Family Remains at Scene of the Crime
The sighting raises questions, as it remains unclear why the Silvagni family continues to live at the address after selling it over a year ago. In January 2024, Tom Silvagni, then 23, twice raped a young woman in the home, sneaking into a guest room where she slept and assaulting her while pretending to be her boyfriend, his then-friend Anthony LoGiudice.
Dressed in a red Jaggad windcheater and black leggings, Jo Silvagni appeared unfazed as she took out the rubbish, a contrast to the awkward scowl she wore leaving the County Court of Victoria. Her composure outside the home where her son's victim suffered stands in stark relief to her emotional courtroom display, where she sobbed as the guilty verdict was delivered.
Backlash and Boycott Threats Grow
The family's conduct during and after the trial has sparked significant public backlash, particularly online. Many Australians, especially women, have declared they will boycott Chemist Warehouse, where Jo has been the public face for years, until the association ends.
This public relations crisis comes despite Jo bearing no legal responsibility for her son's actions. The backlash appears fuelled by the family's staunch defence of Tom. Both parents have publicly questioned the victim's credibility and announced plans to appeal the conviction. Tom Silvagni was sentenced to a minimum of three years and three months in jail for two counts of rape.
"We all love and support our son Tom," a tearful Stephen Silvagni, Jo's husband and a former AFL star, said outside court. "Our son continues to maintain his innocence and we stand firmly behind him. We will be considering our options to appeal."
A Family in the Spotlight
The case has dragged the prominent AFL family into a harsh spotlight. Over the weekend, Tom's girlfriend, model Alannah Iaconis, was seen visiting the Balwyn North home, while his brother, AFL player Jack Silvagni, later arrived and told reporters she would not be coming out to speak.
Jo Silvagni's long media career, which includes stints on 'Sale of the Century' and 'Looking Good', now faces an uncertain future. PR expert Max Markson suggested a temporary withdrawal from public view might be the best strategy for both Silvagni and Chemist Warehouse to weather the storm.
"My advice... may be best to not use her for the next three months," Markson stated. "Take her down over Christmas until everything calms down." He added that both could recover from the scandal, calling it a "sad story."
However, for the victim and many observers, the family's continued presence at the scene of the crime and their unwavering support for the convicted rapist has compounded the distress of a case that has shocked the nation.
