Evan Rachel Wood bravely speaks up about her experiences of rape in open letter

One involved a significant other

Evan Rachel Wood
(Image credit: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock)

One involved a significant other

She's the star of Westworld, the TV show everyone is talking about and at the age of 29, Evan Rachel Wood has already starred in Golden Globe-nominated roles in Thirteen and The Ides of March. Best known publicly for her former four-year relationship with Marilyn Manson and most recently for her marriage and divorce from British actor Jamie Bell (who she co-parents their three-year-old son with, whose name they've managed to keep under wraps), the actress has also been outspoken about her bisexuality and her struggles with bipolar disorder.

While talking to Rolling Stone, the Westworld star opened up and revealed, 'I have been raped. By a significant other while we were together, and on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar.'

Having not gone into detail during the interview, Evan decided to share her entire account on Twitter, saying 'well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to @RollingStone in its entirety. #NotOK

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The actress is now taking a break from social media, and has temporarily taken down her online accounts since sharing her story.

Both encounters happened before Evan attempted suicide aged 22 but she has spoken out about the fact that her experiences still affect her to this day. 'The pressure to just get over it already should be lifted. it's not that you can't get over it, it's just that you are never the same, or maybe I just haven't gotten there yet.'

She has been met with an overwhelming amount of support from the public, and rightly so, for speaking out about an issue that affects so many women around the world daily. By sharing her experiences of sexual assault, depression and even suicide with the world, Evan has highlighted the most important message of all, that speaking out matters and that no one needs to suffer alone. Bravo Evan for being brave and speaking up for those still afraid to themselves.

Delphine Chui