Former “Bachelorette” star Katie Thurston has made the heartbreaking revelation that she was raped.In a press release to ET, Katie shared, “I’ve had ample assist from my neighborhood which allowed me to remain sturdy over these previous seven months. Whereas the end result is disappointing, I’m at peace and turning any ache into function and hope to assist different survivors of sexual assault.”Thurston took to Instagram on Saturday and shared in a carousel publish the precious assets that helped her get via the immeasurable ache. She additionally shared that the justice system let her down regardless of following all the mandatory protocols that include reporting rape.”I did every part I ought to have finished as a sufferer of rape,” Katie shared in considered one of her slides. “‘Listed here are my texts, my calls, my phos, my movies, names witnesses, areas, social media, time stamps, surveillance footage, DNA, my physique.’ The warning ‘a responsible verdict is tough in prison courtroom’ echoed all through the months, like an annoying parrot you have been compelled to maintain. And as a lot as I heard it, I nonetheless wasn’t able to be stopped. And but, with out warning, I used to be.”In a since-expired Instagram Story, Katie wrote, “It took 7 months for the San Diego Justice to let me down as a sufferer of rape.” In her opening slide, Katie wrote, “The justice system continues to let down victims on daily basis. I refuse to really feel defeated within the power it took to be an advocate for myself. I hope my expertise will assist these really feel the power and assist they want. Whereas I am not able to share my story, I wish to share the precious assets that saved my life.”Katie Thurston as “The Bachelorette” throughout season 17 of the storied franchise. – Craig Sjodin/ABC through Getty ImagesKatie went on to thank the nurse, therapist and advocate who helped and supported her amid the harrowing ordeal. In her penultimate slide she wrote, “This isn’t a loss to me. I’m protected. I’m beloved. I’m supported. No, that is yet one more loss in a damaged system. Change occurs in failure. And the justice system failed me. And continues to fail 1000’s each single day. However don’t hand over.”In her bio, Katie shared a hyperlink to assets she discovered invaluable. She additionally commented on the publish, “I wish to thank everybody who DM’d me. I spent the day offline and with family members.”Katie, who’s now an aspiring comic and is at the moment courting comic Jeff Arcuri, starred as “The Bachelorette” on season 17. Blake Moynes proposed to her within the season finale however they referred to as it quits in October 2021. The next month, Katie shared she was courting John Hersey, a contestant on her season. They referred to as it quits in June 2022.RELATED CONTENT: