Katie Thurston is opening up about a traumatic event she survived.
The former Bachelorette star, 33, took to Instagram on Friday to reveal she was raped. 
It took 7 months for the San Diego Justice to let me down as a victim of rape
, Thurston wrote in a since expired post on her Instagram Stories.
Katie Thurston Shares Her Experience
The reality star also shared a post detailing her experience with a carousel of titled slides. The justice system continues to let down victims every day. I refuse to feel defeated in the strength it took to be an advocate for myself
, Thurston said in the opening slide. I hope my experience will help those feel the strength and support they need. While I’m not ready to share my story, I want to share the valuable resources that saved my life.
Feeling Let Down By The System
Thurston thanked the nurses and other advocates before she went on to share how she felt she was let down by the criminal justice system after she was raped, telling her followers that she did everything [she] should have done as a victim of rape.
She continued, ‘Here are my texts, my calls, my photos, my videos, names witnesses, locations, social media, time stamps, surveillance footage, DNA, my body.’
A Broken Justice System
The warning that a guilty verdict is hard in criminal court
echoed throughout the months of her ordeal. She disclosed, This is not a loss to me. I am safe. I am loved. I am supported.
However, Thurston also emphasized that this outcome is yet another loss in what she perceives as a broken system that fails victims daily: Change happens in failure. And the justice system failed me and continues to fail thousands every single day. But do not give up.
Katie’s Journey On The Bachelorette
Thurston starred in Season 17 of ABC’s The Bachelorette. She was engaged to Blake Moynes, who proposed during the season finale in August 2021. However, they mutually decided to part ways later that year:It is with mutual love and respect that we have decided to go our separate ways…we ultimately have concluded that we are not compatible as life partners
. Afterward, she started dating John Hersey from her season but revealed their breakup in 2022.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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