US actress Evan Rachel Wood, who plays one of the leading characters in the new hit TV series “Westworld,” has spoken out about being raped twice in an open letter she posted on Twitter.
The 29-year-old said she had revealed the attacks in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine and decided to also share her story on social media as she did not want to “stay silent any longer.”
The actress said she had been raped by a “significant other” and then by the owner of a bar.
“The first time I was unsure that if it was done by a partner it was still in fact rape, until too late,” Wood wrote. “Also who would believe me.
“And the second time, I thought it was my fault and that I should have fought back more, but I was scared.”
She said the attacks took place “many, many years ago” and that she had come to understand that she was not at fault.
The star added in her Twitter posting as well as the Rolling Stone interview that she believes the assaults were “one of the many factors” that played a part in an attempt to commit suicide at age 22.
The actress, who is bisexual, said she had hesitated about coming forward in the past for fear of being accused of seeking attention or being told “it wasn’t a big deal or that’s not really rape.”
“I don’t believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer. I certainly can’t,” she wrote.
“Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism.”
Wood said although she was happy in her life, she was “still not ok.”
