Former ‘Bachelorette’ Star Katie Thurston Reveals She Was Raped: “The Justice System Failed Me” [Video]

Katie Thurston, who starred in Season 17 of The Bachelorette, revealed in a social media post on Saturday that she was raped.

“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 …