First Dates diner Sinoa was branded an "inspiration" as she candidly told her date Liam about her personal experience of sexual assault.
The 29-year-old mental health officer left viewers in tears as her originally light hearted date with Devon local Liam, 30, begun to take a more serious turn during Tuesday night's episode of the Channel 4 show.
When Liam asked what Siona's Latin tattoo, which read 'Per ardua ad astra', meant, she explained that it came from a very dark personal experience.
Revealing that the inking meant 'through adversity to the stars,' Siona told Liam that she had been a victim of sexual assault while at university, and got the tattoo to remind herself of her strength.
Discussing her experience, Siona said: "It was a couple of weeks before I graduated when I was 21.
"I was on a night out with some friends and a stranger. Someone I didn’t know slipped something into my drink and I was raped."
Speaking in the confessional, she recalled the harrowing moment she realised what had happened to her.
"I was sat in my kitchen with one of my friends, and I had blood and bruises all over my thighs and my legs, and I sort of said to her "I'm not really sure what just happened. I think this just happened..."
Siona revealed that she then didn't speak about the incident for the next seven years, but it completely crushed her confidence when dating.
It was finally disclosing the incident to her mum that helped her to tackle the shame she was feeling.
Her date Liam was blown away by her honesty and praised her for channelling her experiences into her job.
Meanwhile, viewers at home were equally touched by her story.
"Yes Siona. Such bravery #FirstDates ," one wrote, as another agreed: "Credit to Siona who is a very brave woman to tell us her story #FirstDates ".
"Siona, you are amazing, beautiful and brave. Thank you for using your terrible experience to help others. Wishing you and the gorgeous Liam all the best. #firstdates ," a third wrote.
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