In a new documentary, actress Brooke Shields says that in her youth she was sexually abused by a person with influence in Hollywood. “This is something that happens every day, and it shouldn’t happen,” she says The Hollywood Reporter.
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields is a new documentary that chronicles actress and model Brooke Shields’ upbringing in a film industry that sexualized her as a child.
Talks about abuse in new documentary
In the documentary, Shields says that as a ten-year-old she was photographed naked by photographer Garry Gross, who later sold the photos. She also discusses the film Endless Love from 1981, where at the age of only sixteen she recorded a sex scene. Shields also says that as a young woman she was sexually abused by a person with influence in Hollywood.
At the time of the abuse, she had just finished her university studies and worried that her acting career was over. When the man in question asked her out to dinner, Shields thought they were going to discuss her career – but after dinner there was no more talk of a new movie. Instead, he persuaded her to accompany him to his hotel room, where he raped her.
“It was like wrestling,” says Shields. “I was afraid of being strangled or something, I didn’t know /…/ I just thought, ‘Stay alive and escape’.”
While the abuse was happening, the actress tried to “shut it out… and god knows I knew how to disconnect from your body. I had practiced it [som modell].”
Brooke Shields: “Shouldn’t happen”
At the premiere of the documentary, the star said that it had taken “many years” of therapy for her to be able to talk about the abuse:
“I had no idea I was going to say that. I thought, I have reached this point, and as a mother of two young girls, I hope I can help by sharing this incident. Because this is something that happens every day, and it shouldn’t happen,” she added The Hollywood Reporter.
The title Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields is taken from the controversial film from 1978 in which the then eleven-year-old Shields portrayed a prostituted girl. The documentary premiered at the Sundance festival last Friday and is available to stream on Hulu.
This is where you can turn if you have been subjected to sexual violence:
– Contact one health center – you can seek support to understand what you have been through, even if you are unsure whether what you have been subjected to is abuse.
– The women’s peace line provides support to those who have been subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence. The call is free and you are anonymous when you call. Call 020-50 50 50.
– If you have been subjected to sexual abuse and are under the age of 18, you can get help and support from the BRIS helpline, the number is 11 61 11.
– The association Storasyster offers support and community to you who have been subjected to rape or sexual abuse. From 13 years and above, regardless of gender identity.
Source: Pop culture
