Evan Rachel Wood Goes Public With Her Sexual Assault Story

via Twitter

Last week, Rolling Stone published an interview with Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood where the actress opened up about dating Marilyn Manson as a teenager, being bisexual, and how she has used her past trauma to create her character, Dolores. During the interview, Wood revealed she had suffered “physical, psychological, sexual,” abuse in the past. But the day after the election, she sent the reporter, Alex Morris, a follow-up email with the entire story.

By electing Donald Trump, a large swath of Americans agreed that it was socially acceptable for powerful men to grope women. This societal affirmation of rape culture made Wood realize it was time to stop being vague about abuse. “I’ve been raped. By a significant other while we were together. And on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar,” she wrote in the email.

“I don’t believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer. Not given the state our world is in with its blatant bigotry and sexism,” Wood said in response to Trump’s election. A few lines of Wood’s email made it into Morris’ piece, but after the issue was published, she made the brave decision to share the entire email on Twitter. “Well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to @RollingStone in its entirety. #NotOk,” she wrote.

In the email, Wood gives solace to those who have experienced similar abuse. “The pressure for survivors to just get over it already should be lifted.” Wood wrote. She also believes there is a difference between going forward with your life and being completely healed from the trauma. “I am still standing. I am alive. I am strong. But I am still not ok,” she wrote. Wood’s revelation is important because it shines a light on the trauma that sexual assault victims must endure. It also gives voice to those who suffer in silence and could inspire some to get help who may not have otherwise.

Here’s the entire email she shared:

via Twitter