If you watched the Oscars this year, chances are you were moved by Lady Gaga’s emotional performance of Til It Happens To You, honoring the courage and resilience of abuse survivors. Jaime King was so inspired she decided to share her own story. The Hart of Dixie actress took to Instagram to reveal her heart-wrenching story of childhood sexual abuse that began when she was just 12 years old.
She wrote: “SURVIVOR – Thank you @kyle_newman for loving me whole | My children | @lenadunham for her relentless bravery that always leads my Spirit to stand up| Dr. Randy Harris for YEARS of empathy | Michael Hayes @awaketolove ~ there are no words | Dr. Allan Phillips | @erikaklein | @ladygaga | #DianeWarren for breaking me whole last night and tonight| TS I love you for being there no matter what| Thank you to the only people I have told | Thank you to @damhave ~ you know why | Thank you @hooligandreamer| Thank you @amandadecadenet | Thank you to @unwomen & all organizations that have tirelessly worked to somehow comfort & make right | Thank you to myself to not choosing to not make this a cover story though that was what was suggested to me but to express from my heart to you all personally which felt the most honest way for me to speak | Thank you to my Soul, body, mind, emotions, my inner child, my younger self, I love you. It’s a night of celebration, of change, of not being ashamed of your race, creed color, situation, circumstances and environment, or past. Now I am free, somewhat. Thank you for the switch that went off inside finally when I realized my silence said I cannot help nor change and that is not who I am. I love you all very much for creating a safe space. The time is now. I was about 14 here, it started at 12. Peace Be Still ❤️”
Image: @Jaime_King https://www.instagram.com/p/–mf7_N1DX/
King’s brave act has been met with overwhelming encouragement, support and love from her fans, who are using her comments section to give voice to their own stories of abuse.
Thank you @ladygaga – I finally felt a true healing from years of abuse as a minor in the industry. Time to be brave https://t.co/PwEXY4Xtyb
— Jaime King (@Jaime_King) February 29, 2016
Courage is contagious. We’re endlessly grateful to Jaime King and Lady Gaga for using their platforms to bring healing to sexual abuse survivors around the world.
[via Vogue UK]
