Actor Kristina Cohen Has Accused ‘Gossip Girl’ Star Ed Westwick Of Rape
Westwick says he doesn’t know the woman.
This post discusses sexual assault.
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Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick has denied allegations of rape levelled against him by fellow actor Kristina Cohen.
In a detailed and disturbing Facebook post on Monday, Cohen accused Westwick of assaulting her three years ago after she visited his apartment with a producer she was dating at the time. She alleges that the rape occurred after she went to take a nap in Westwick’s guest bedroom.
“I was woken up abruptly by Ed on top of me, his fingers entering my body,” she wrote. “I told him to stop, but he was strong. I fought him off as hard as I could but he grabbed my face in his hands, shaking me, telling me he wanted to fuck me. I was paralyzed, terrified. I couldn’t speak, I could no longer move. He held me down and raped me.”
Cohen also alleges that after the assault, the producer pressured her into keeping quiet.
“The producer put the blame on me, telling me I was an active participant,” she wrote. “Telling me that I can’t say anything because Ed will have people come after me, destroy me, and that I could forget about an acting career. Saying there’s no way I can go around saying Ed ‘raped’ me and that I don’t want to be ‘that girl’.”
“I now realize the ways in which these men in power prey on women, and how this tactic is used so frequently in our industry, and surely, in many others,” she added.
Westwick responded to Cohen’s accusations on Tuesday via Instagram, insisting that he did not know who she was.
“I do not know this woman,” he wrote. “I have never forced myself in any manner, on any woman. I certainly have never committed rape.”
Cohen said she decided to tell her story after seeing a number of other woman come forward with accusations against men in the entertainment industry.
“I hope my coming forward will help others to know that they are not alone, that they are not to blame, and it is not their fault,” she wrote. “Just as the other women and men coming forward have helped me to realize the same. I hope that my stories and the stories of others help to reset and realign the toxic environments and power imbalances that have created these monsters.”
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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.