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America Ferrera joined a growing number of actresses who are opening up about experiencing sexual harassment or assault. Ferrera posted an emotional Instagram Monday, sharing that she was the victim of sexual assault when she was just nine years old.
"I told no one and lived with the shame and guilt thinking all along that I, a 9 year old child, was somehow responsible for the actions of a grown man," she wrote. She added that the man who allegedly assaulted her interacted with her every day for years after that, and that he "expected me to shut my mouth and smile back."
Ferrera shared her message as part of the #MeToo movement on social media, sparked by fellow actress Alyssa Milano, who encouraged women to share the hashtag to show just how big the problem of sexual assault and harassment is. Milano started the trending topic after multiple allegations of sexual harassment were made against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
"Ladies, let's break the silence so the next generation of girls won't have to live with this bullshit," Ferrera wrote.
