Renowned Hollywood actress Kerry Washington, famed for her memorable role as Broomhilda in Quentin Tarantino's 'Django Unchained', has candidly discussed the profound impact of sexual assault on her life.
Speaking at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books hosted at the University of Southern California, the 47-year-old 'Scandal' star delved into her September 2023 memoir, 'Thicker Than Water', as reported by 'People' magazine.
Reflecting on the assault during a conversation with Erika D. Smith, Washington revealed how it marked one of the earliest instances where her truth was denied, leading to a deep-seated doubt in her own intuition.
The memoir, 'Thicker Than Water', documents Washington's journey of self-discovery, notably highlighting the revelation about her biological parentage, learning at the age of 41 in spring 2018 that her father, Earl Washington, was not her biological father.
Addressing the inclusion of her experience with sexual assault in the book, Washington emphasized its significance in illustrating the suppression of truth, obstructing her understanding of her own identity.
"My narrative aims to uncover the truth of my identity and the barriers that hindered my journey to knowing and embracing it fully," Washington expressed. "The experience of surviving sexual assault, shrouded in gaslighting and denial, embodies one such obstacle."
Though refraining from naming her alleged abuser, Washington recounted instances of assault during childhood sleepovers in the Bronx, where a neighborhood boy would touch her and vehemently deny any wrongdoing when confronted.
"When I confronted the perpetrator, he dismissed my claims as figments of imagination, labelling me as irrational and delusional," she shared during the event, underscoring the psychological manipulation she endured.
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