“I’ve had ample support from my community which allowed me to stay strong over these past seven months,” the reality TV star told EW . “While the outcome is disappointing, I am at peace and turning any pain into purpose and hope to help other survivors of sexual assault.”
In an Instagram post , Thurston shared several resources that helped her cope with the pain. She added that her case was abruptly closed, noting that “the justice system failed me.”
“I did everything I should have done as a victim of rape,” Katie shared in her post. “‘Here are my texts, my calls, my photos, my videos, names witnesses, locations, social media, time stamps, surveillance footage, DNA, my body.’ The warning ‘a guilty verdict is hard in criminal court’ echoed throughout the months, like an annoying parrot you were forced to keep. And as much as I heard it, I still wasn’t ready to be stopped. And yet, without warning, I was.”
On her Instagram Story, which has since expired, Katie wrote, “It took 7 months for the San Diego Justice to let me down as a victim of rape.”
In the first slide of her post, Katie wrote, “The justice system continues to let down victims every day. I refuse to feel defeated in the strength it took to be an advocate for myself. I hope my experience will help those feel the strength and support they need. While I’m not ready to share my story, I want to share the valuable resources that saved my life.”
She then thanked the nurse, therapist, and advocate who helped and supported her throughout the ordeal.
“This is not a loss to me. I am safe. I am loved. I am supported,” she continued. “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.”
Katie has also shared a link to resources for rape victims in her bio. She also commented on the post, “I want to thank everyone who DM’d me. I spent the day offline and with loved ones.”
Thurston is now an aspiring comedian and is dating comedian Jeff Arcuri. She had previously been engaged to Blake Moynes as a result of her turn on The Bachelorette . They called it quits in October 2021 and a month later she revealed she was dating John Hersey, another contestant on her season. That relationship lasted until June 2022.
For more entertainment news and streaming recommendations, visit decider.com
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