The Courage to Speak Out
Katie Price, a well-known British TV star, has finally revealed the identity of the individual she claims raped her over two decades ago. This marks a significant shift from her previous stance where she had vowed not to name her alleged attacker in 2009 and again in 2012. According to recent reports, Katie made this revelation during an event titled “An Evening with Katie Price and Kerry Katona” on Tuesday night.
The news was shared by a source who mentioned that Katie’s decision to speak out was influenced by the MeToo movement. The source explained, “Katie thinks now is the time; she has nothing to lose. After all the me-too stuff, she thinks if other people have revealed their sex attackers, why can’t I?”
A Longstanding Secret
In a previous magazine column, Katie had stated that she was “raped by a famous celebrity” but emphasized that she would not name him. She added, “I don’t even know if he knows that I’ve spoken about him, I doubt he does.”
Last year, Katie detailed her experiences in her memoir titled “This Is Me.” In it, she disclosed that she had been a victim of sexual assault as a child and twice as an adult. She wrote, “I have been a victim of sexual assault on two more occasions. The second was with a celebrity, but, though I want that acknowledged, I’m not going to be naming them here.”
Katie also recounted her traumatic experience as a child, describing a terrifying incident that occurred on her way to a park in Hove, East Sussex. She vividly remembered, “If I close my eyes, I can see his bald head with wisps of ginger hair. He was a complete stranger who was in my life for no more than a few minutes 39 years ago, and yet I can vividly see him like it was yesterday.”
Overcoming Trauma
Years later, during the filming of her reality series “My Crazy Life” in 2018, Katie faced another harrowing experience. She was sexually assaulted while being held at gunpoint in South Africa. The trauma from these events led her to seek treatment at The Priory.
In her Channel 4 documentary “Katie Price: Trauma and Me,” she discussed the aftermath of the carjacking, stating, “The experience when I was filming with ITV in South Africa, we had no security, if we had security they would have been able to deal with the six guys that jumped us, held me at gunpoint and raped me.”
Katie reflected on the lasting impact of these events on her mental health. She said, “It was from that moment on that I felt men were always looking at me. I suppose having your innocence shattered from a young age does that to you. The police never found the man with the ginger freckles.”
Support for Victims
If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape, there are resources available to help. If you have recently been raped and are still at risk, it is crucial to call 999 and ask for the police. Otherwise, the first step is to find a safe place.
If you wish to report the rape to the police, you can call 999 or the non-emergency line on 101. An Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) will often be present to assist you through the process. You can also choose to withdraw from the criminal justice process at any time.
If you plan on going to the police, it is advisable not to wash your clothes or shower, bathe, or brush your teeth. If you do change, keep the clothes you were wearing in a plastic bag. These steps can help preserve any DNA evidence your attacker may have left on your body or clothes.
If you do not want to contact the police, Rape Crisis suggests talking to someone you trust about what has happened. You can also call one of the UK’s many rape and sexual assault helplines. Anyone aged 16+ can contact Rape Crisis’s 24/7 Support Line by calling 0808 500 2222 or starting an online chat.
If you have been injured, it is best to go to your nearest A&E for medical treatment. If you are uninjured, you can visit your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The NHS provides information on finding your nearest center.
If your rape is historic, you can still access support, including from the police. There is no time limit on reporting, and your account can still be used as evidence.
