Katie Thurston, former star of “The Bachelorette,” recently opened up on Instagram about the aftermath of reporting her rape. In a heartfelt carousel post, Thurston shared her experiences and the challenges she faced, though she did not provide specific details about the incident itself.
In a statement to ET, Thurston expressed gratitude for the support she received from her community 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,” she said.
Thurston detailed the resources that helped her cope with the trauma and criticized the justice system for failing her. “I did everything I should have done as a victim of rape,” she wrote in one of her slides. She listed the evidence she provided, including texts, calls, photos, videos, witness names, locations, social media timestamps, surveillance footage, and DNA. Despite her efforts, she was met with the warning that “a guilty verdict is hard in criminal court,” a sentiment that echoed throughout the months of her ordeal.
She expressed her frustration with the system, stating, “This is not a loss to me. I am safe. I am loved. I am supported. No, this is yet another loss in a broken system. Change happens in failure. And the justice system failed me. And continues to fail thousands every single day. But do not give up.”
Thurston, who starred in season 17 of “The Bachelorette,” has since embarked on a standup comedy career. She emphasized the importance of sharing the resources that helped her, even though she is not yet ready to share her full story. “While I’m not ready to share my story, I want to share the valuable resources that saved my life,” she said.
In her Instagram post, Thurston described the steps she took after the incident, including calling 911 and undergoing a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) exam. She praised the nurse and advocate who supported her during the process, noting that they thoroughly explained each step and sought her consent throughout.
Thurston also shared the medical treatments she received, including tests for STDs, drugs, and blood alcohol concentration, as well as medications to prevent infections and HIV. She highlighted that these services are available at no cost in San Diego, even for those without health insurance.
She emphasized the importance of mental health support, revealing that she attended therapy sessions with a specialist in sexual assault every week for three months, also at no cost. She had an advocate she could contact at any time with questions about the process.
Thurston also mentioned the California Victim Compensation Board, which helps sexual assault and rape survivors recover financially, and the resources provided by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). She thanked her followers for helping her raise over $9,000 for RAINN in December 2023.
In her post, Thurston recommended the book “Know My Name” by Chanel Miller, which she found validating and helpful in communicating with police officers. She described the book as a mandatory read for teenagers.
A particularly poignant slide read, “I did everything I should have done as a victim of rape. ‘Here are my texts, my calls, my photos, my videos, names, witnesses, locations, social media, time stamps, surveillance footage, DNA, my body.'” Despite her thorough documentation, she was unprepared for the roadblock that ultimately stopped her from achieving justice.
Thurston concluded her post by reaffirming her safety and support, while criticizing the legal system as “broken.” She encouraged other survivors not to give up, stating, “Change happens in failure. And the justice system failed me. And continues to fail thousands every single day. But do not give up.”
In her final slide, she reminded her followers that they are their own best advocates and are valued and strong. “I believe in you,” she wrote.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.
Source: People, ET
