Brooke Shields commiserates with Drew Barrymore after feeling ‘taken advantage of’ by Barbara Walters
The mother of Drew Barrymore, Brooke Shields, who has been outspoken on the subject of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, feels she was ‘taken advantage of’ by Barbara Walters.
The star told Oprah Winfrey that she was sexually assaulted by her then-employer, who would later file suit against her.
Shields, speaking from her mother’s house in Los Angeles, explained that she had the support of her mother, who told her ‘to go ahead and talk about it’.
Speaking directly to Oprah: Brooke Shields, speaking from her mother’s house in Los Angeles, talks about the assault
The actress, who is currently filming an HBO series, Confidence, continued: ‘I have had people say to me, “No, you can’t say you have been verbally raped and then sue them.”
‘It has happened to other women. I was given no permission or consent. The people who I was working for, they’re responsible for their conduct, and it’s their business.’
She added: ‘I am glad that Barbara was there for me through this, because she’s a good woman and she put her love and her heart and her soul into supporting me. She showed me that love.
‘This is my life, and I can tell my story.’
Shields’ family released a statement in which she said: ‘Brooke Shields is saddened and angered by last night’s discussion about her sexual assault. What she did in no way reflects her or her family’s feelings on this important subject.
‘She wants to express her sincere apologies for bringing these matters to light and for her choice to discuss them in public while she was still dealing with the shock of a very difficult ordeal and with healing to do.’
She continued: ‘However, she wishes to add that her family did not
