The Bachelorette’s Katie Thurston opens up about being a rape survivor

"My pain has purpose, and my purpose has power," The Bachelorette star said.

Katie Thurston, a former Bachelorette, revealed to her Instagram followers on Friday, June 28, that she is a survivor of rape and shared the resources that helped her in the aftermath.

Thurston, 33, discussed the steps she took following the assault, including undergoing a rape kit examination and seeking assistance from a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). 

Despite not disclosing details of the incident, Thurston had previously mentioned a non-consensual encounter from a decade ago during a Bachelorette episode in 2021, though it's unclear if the two events are related.

In her Instagram post, Thurston emphasised her recovery journey and the importance of consent, communication, and support. She captioned her post with, "I am loved. I am safe. I am supported. Resources linked in bio. 💙," and shared slides outlining her experiences.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Katie Thurston (@thekatiethurston)

"My pain has purpose, my purpose has power, I want to focus on the positive," read the first slide, highlighting her commitment to advocacy despite systemic failures. Thurston detailed her medical and legal journey, including the administration of various medications and the completion of a SART exam.

Thurston also spoke about the psychological support she received, noting weekly therapy sessions and the availability of an advocate for ongoing assistance. She encouraged followers to seek help from the California Victim Compensation Board and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), organisations that offer critical support to survivors.

Her post also mentioned raising over $9,000 for RAINN, with her and the organisation matching donations from her followers.

In recommending the book "Know My Name" by Chanel Miller, Thurston expressed how it validated her feelings and aided in better communication with authorities. She concluded her series of slides by urging followers to remain resilient and assertive in their advocacy.

Katie Thurston's bravery in sharing her experience aims to provide strength and resources to other survivors, reinforcing that they are not alone and can seek help to reclaim their lives.