Katie Thurston from “The Bachelorette” reveals past rape

Former Bachelorette Katie Thurston has admitted she was raped – and is sharing her story to help other victims.

“My pain has meaning, my purpose has power, I want to focus on the positive,” she wrote on Instagram on Saturday.

The reality star turned comedian, who appeared on season 25 of “The Bachelor” and starred in season 17 of “The Bachelorette,” explained her decision to go public with her experiences, saying, “The justice system fails victims every day. I refuse to feel defeated by the strength it took to stand up for myself. I hope my experience helps people feel the strength and support they need.”

The 33-year-old did not reveal any details, including when she was raped, saying, “While I am not ready to share my story yet, I want to share the valuable resources that saved my life.” Thurston did not specify whether it was the same incident she described on “The Bachelorette” as a “non-consensual situation” that occurred about 10 years before the show’s 17th season was taped in 2021.

“I called 911 to report my rape. They sent an officer to take my statement and then drove me to a special medical center where a SART exam was performed,” she began. SART stands for Sexual Assault Response Team, which conducts a forensic medical exam to collect evidence of a rape. Thurston said she was accompanied by a nurse and an attorney, who she described as “kind,” “caring” and “patient” people who “explained the process thoroughly” to her and walked her through the process.

Thurston underwent STD testing, received emergency contraception, antibiotics and post-exposure medications to prevent HIV infection. All of her care, including therapy, was “free,” regardless of her insurance status, she wrote.

She praised San Diego for the online SART investigation tracker, which allowed her to follow the four-month progress of her investigation as it was analyzed and forwarded to law enforcement. Thurston met with an “amazing” sex offender therapist and connected with an advocate who was available to her 24/7.

“I did everything I should have done as a rape victim,” she wrote. “Here are my texts, my calls, my photos, my videos, names, witnesses, locations, social media, timestamps, surveillance footage, DNA, my body.”

Nevertheless, Thurston said her case was “dismissed.” However, she did not give any reasons for this.

“The justice system has failed me,” she wrote. “And continues to fail thousands every day. But don’t give up.”

Thurston, who has also appeared on “Bachelor in Paradise” and “FBoy Island,” took the time to recognize RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, for which she raised over $9,000 in 2023; the California Victims Compensation Board, which reimbursed the cost of her medication; and Chanel Miller’s book “Know My Name,” which she praised for helping her navigate the legal system and called required reading for “every single teenager.”

“Be your own biggest advocate,” she wrote. “You are appreciated, you are strong, I believe in you.”