Jill Saward with her father, Canon Michael Saward, who was tied up and beaten while his daughter was raped. Image: Daily Mail.

Jill Saward, who became a prominent sexual assault campaigner after she was raped during a burglary at her father's vicarage has died after suffering a stroke.

Tributes are being paid today to Ms Saward, 51, who was the first victim of rape to waive her anonymity, and went on to use her public profile to campaign for the victims of sexual violence.

The Daily Mail has written about how Ms Saward refused to let the attack define her. This included her views on abortion - despite contemplating suicide, and fearing she might be pregnant, she refused to contemplate abortion or using the morning-after pill.

'Just days ago I was a virgin. Now I am seeing my GP and she is offering me the chance to take a morning after pill,' she wrote.

'My mind is in a whirl. Could I be pregnant? What if I were carrying a rapist's child? I've never been in favour of abortion, including the IUD and the morning after pill. Should I compromise in this situation?

'It is the last chance I'll have for the morning after pill to be effective. I decline the offer.'