Rape is one of the most under-reported crimes. But in today’s society, some people refuse to stay quiet about their sexual assault. This is the case for Evan Rachel Wood, who recently opened up about being raped twice in the past. The first time she was raped by a signifcant other. The second time was by a bar owner.
While talking to Rolling Stone for a feature, Evan spoke unfiltered about those experiences. Her words were prompted in particular by Donald Trump’s election win. She later posted her entire confession letter on Twitter for everyone to read.
“I started questioning my reasons for staying vague about my experiences as a girl growing up in America,” Evan began. “I think, like a lot of women, I had the urge to not make it a sob story, to not make it about me.”
Evan also admitted to feeling discouraged from revealing the truth because she didn’t want to be viewed as an attention-hungry female. “I think deep down, I also didn’t want to be accused of doing it for attention, or told it wasn’t a big deal, or ‘that’s not really rape,'” she said.
Now, more than ever, Evan feels the need to share her story with others.
“I will not be ashamed. I will also not project some false idea of being completely over it because ‘I am so strong.’ I don’t believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer,” Evan said.
“Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism,” she added. “It should be talked about because it’s swept under the rug as nothing and I will not accept this as ‘normal’. It’s a serious problem.”
Evan went on to explain the two instances when she was raped. “The first time I was unsure that if it was done by a partner it was still in fact rape, until too late,” she revealed. “And the second time, I thought it was my fault and that I should have fought back more, but I was scared. This was many many years ago and I of course know now neither one was my fault and neither one was ok.”
Evan understands that her life has been completely changed by these experiences and knows that it’s something she’ll never be able to completely get past. However, she hopes that other survivors won’t feel so burdened by societal pressures.
“I am still standing. I am alive. I am happy. I am strong. But I am still not ok,” Evan said. “I think it’s important for people to know that, for survivors to own that, and that the pressure to just get over it already, should be lifted.”