or
Sign in with lockrMail
BREAKING NEWS
OK LogoPHOTOS

Raven Gates Reveals She Was ‘Sexually Assaulted’ In Past ‘Abusive’ Relationship’

Raven gates sexually assaulted past abusive relationship hero
Source: Instagram / @RavenNicoleGates

Aug. 16 2017, Updated 5:13 p.m. ET

Link to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

Raven Gates made a heartbreaking confession about her past on Tuesday night’s episode of Bachelor in Paradise. The Bachelor star, who was the runner-up on Nick Viall’s season, opened up about being in an “abusive relationship" that ended with an assault while discussing the sex scandal between DeMario Jackson and Corinne Olympios.

Article continues below advertisement

“A lot of people don’t know this, that I was in a very abusive relationship and there was a point where I was sexually assaulted and so I guess that’s why I took this kind of really personally,” Gates told the cast.

Article continues below advertisement

“So I hope this situation doesn’t deter actual victims from coming forward and really speaking their truth and getting help and asking for help,” she continued. “I hope this doesn’t deter anybody.”

Article continues below advertisement

BIP host Chris Harrison then thanked Raven for courageously sharing her experience.

Article continues below advertisement
MORE ON:
Bachelor in Paradise

Want OK! each day? Sign up here!

Also during the group conversation, Raven discussed how she believed race played a role in how the situation between DeMario and Corinne was handled.

Article continues below advertisement

“I’m sensitive to it because I’m from the South and we have a stigma that seeing a white woman with a black man is wrong,” Raven said. “And that night, what happened wasn’t wrong. And so I was super empathetic with DeMario because it’s just another issue. Not only is consent important, but it’s also to get rid of the stigma that interracial couples can’t be or blaming African American men for crimes they didn’t commit.”

Article continues below advertisement

As previously reported, BIP production was suspended after there were “allegations of misconduct” following a sexual encounter between Corinne and DeMario. An internal investigation then ensued, which ultimately found no evidence of misconduct.

Bachelor in Paradise airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC

More From OK! Magazine

    Opt-out of personalized ads

    © Copyright 2024 OK!™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. OK! is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.