LOS ANGELES – 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, who plays a woman who gets raped in the HBO drama series, said she had been assaulted 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 attacks were “one of the many factors” that played a part in an attempt to commit suicide at age 22.
The actress, who is openly 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.
Wood said although she was happy in her life, she was “still not ok.”
Wood plays Dolores, an android in the sci-fi series “Westworld” based on the 1973 movie of the same name about a Western theme park of the future.
In the first episode, her character is shown being dragged off to be raped.
The actress posted a message on Twitter on Tuesday, several hours after sharing her letter, saying that she would be taking a break from social media.
“Thank you for all your support and courageous stories. You are not alone. xo,” she said in her message.
