TikTok star Loren Gray, 18, says she was sexually assaulted at 12: 'My innocence was stolen in a basement'
TikTok star Loren Gray is opening up about the sexual assault incident that took place when she was 12. Gray decided to open up to her 42M Tik Tok followers about the incident that took place and how it influenced her life thereafter.
Sharing an emotional video, Gray shared a picture of when she was 12 and wrote, "I want to tell you my real story. This is me, over five years ago, not long before my 13th birthday. At this time, I had my innocence stolen from me in the basement of someone I trusted. I only told one person and to this day she remains my best friend. We cried in my bathroom together for hours."
Gray revealed that she took some time to come to terms with what had happened as she wrote, "I struggled to put the pieces together as to why this had happened to me. It took two months for me to finally tell my parents. I felt dirty, hopeless, broken, and worthless. I was confused and scared. I felt like it was my fault."
She went on to describe how her life changed after the incident as she wrote, "I was homeschooled and began making videos to pass the time and ease some of the loneliness and isolation I had felt. People were watching my videos and although I was still struggling, I felt like I had finally found people who cared, regardless of my situation."
She continued, "Although, every now and then the comments and questions would be too much. 'She looks like a whore.' 'Are you a virgin?'" Gray admitted she was hesitant to come out about her past fearing that people would judge her.
However, with age, she understood that her past is not something that defines who she is. "I was always afraid to tell people my story, fearing people would view me differently and I would lose those I cared about," she said. "I'm 18 now and I've realized that my past does not define me. It was never my fault and I never deserved it."
Gray admitted that she was stronger than ever and wasn't letting her past influence her present. "I came out stronger and I'm so proud of myself," she said. "There is light at the end of the tunnel and if my story can help even ONE person, then to me it's a story worth telling."
Following this video, Gray took to Twitter to apologize to her fans for not being online much while adding that she needed some time alone. "I"m very lucky that I have such supportive friends and family, who never judged or placed blame. I'm very grateful," she said.
She added, "Although I was forced to grow up quickly and lost a part of me in the process, I wouldn't change anything about my life, every experience I've had has taught me something. Although I hate that I felt forced into sharing this prematurely, I have no regrets because I am no longer ashamed."