Former ‘Bachelorette’ Star Katie Thurston Posts About Rape Aftermath on Social Media

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Katie Thurston opens up about what happened when she reported being raped.

In a carousel post on Instagram on Saturday, Thurston opened up about the aftermath of her ordeal, but gave no details about what happened.

In a statement to ET, she said, “I have received tremendous support from my community, which has kept me strong over the past seven months. While the outcome is disappointing, I am at peace and turning any pain into purpose and hope to help other survivors of sexual assault.”

Thurston detailed the resources that helped her overcome her suffering. She also said the justice system failed her.

“I did everything I should have done as a rape victim,” she said in one of her slides. “Here are my texts, my calls, my photos, my videos, the names of witnesses, the locations, the social media, the timestamps, the surveillance footage, the DNA, my body.” The warning that “a guilty verdict is difficult in criminal court” echoed through the months, like an annoying parrot you were forced to keep. And even though I heard it, I still wasn’t ready to be arrested. And yet, without warning, I was.

She thanked the nurse, therapist and lawyer who supported her through this ordeal. “It’s not a loss for me. I’m safe. I am loved. I am supported. No, it’s yet another loss in a broken system. Change happens in failure. And the justice system failed me. And continues to fail thousands of people every day. But don’t give up.

Thurston has now embarked on a career as a stand-up comedian. She starred as the lead on The Bachelorette in season 17.