Married At First Sight star Katie Johnston has bravely revealed she was the victim of a sexual assault.
The reality star told Winestle News Australia she was raped while she was living in Western Australia, just four months before her 21st birthday.
Katie, now 34, said she still very much carries the trauma from the harrowing ordeal.
‘My experience of sexual assault at 20 profoundly shaped my perception of safety and relationships,’ Katie said.
‘This trauma left lasting emotional scars that influenced my choices, behaviours and search for security.’
Katie added she has since avoided showing vulnerability to partners in relationships because it makes her feel ‘unsafe’.
Married At First Sight star Katie Johnston has bravely revealed she was the victim of a sexual assault
‘After the assault I was in a relationship that fat shamed me, I since subconsciously avoided deep relationships because vulnerability felt unsafe,’ she explained.
‘Trust became a challenge and the idea of emotional intimacy carried a risk of being hurt again.’
While her Married At First Sight experience has not panned out as she had hoped, Katie said she initially applied to appear on the hit reality show in a bid to find a partner who was ‘kind’.
‘My decision to go on Married at First Sight was about hoping to find someone kind. I craved a relationship where kindness was the foundation, making it possible for me to feel secure and open,’ she said.
However Katie, who was paired with series ‘villain’ Tim Gromie in the Nine juggernaut, said her time on the show has dredged up past trauma.
‘Trauma doesn’t just disappear with time,’ she said.
‘Certain situations, environments, or even emotions can unexpectedly bring back past pain. The reality TV experience put me in emotional situations that brought up old wounds.’
She added that the scrutiny which comes with being on such a popular series had also been ‘difficult’.
The reality star told Winestle News Australia she was raped while she was living in Western Australia , just four months before her 21st birthday
While her Married At First Sight experience has not panned out as she had hoped, Katie said she initially applied to appear on the hit reality show in a bid to find a partner who was ‘kind’. Katie is pictured with MAFS groom Tim Gromie
‘Being on reality TV exposed me to public judgment, which can be particularly difficult when you’ve already struggled with self-worth due to past trauma,’ she said.
‘The experience heightened feelings of exposure and the need for emotional protection which has been my focus now.’
Katie said she decided to talk about her ordeal to raise awareness about the impact of assault.
‘By speaking about my experience I want to shed light on how deeply assault impacts survivors – not just in the moment, but in their long-term emotional and relational well-being.
‘There is no set timeline for healing from trauma. Just because time has passed doesn’t mean the pain has fully gone away.
‘It resurfaces in different forms, but each time you grow stronger in handling it.’
The reality star also had some words of advice for people who may be struggling with a similar situation.
‘Healing doesn’t come from avoidance,’ she said.
Katie said she decided to talk about her ordeal to raise awareness about the impact of assault
‘Give yourself permission to sit with your emotions, then find ways to process them. Whether through journaling, therapy or talking to someone you trust.’
She added: ‘The pain you’ve experienced isn’t a weakness, it’s something you’ve survived.
‘Each time you face it you reclaim more of your power, proving that your past does not define you.’
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or the Sexual Assault Resource Centre 1800 199 888.
