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The second time I was 16 years old and a virgin. He was my boyfriend. \"Date rape\" wasn't discussed in the 80's. I was horrified and ashamed. #WhyIDidntReport

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) September 21, 2018

The third time I was assaulted I was 23. I thought that no one would believe me, because no one wanted to stand up to him. I had seen the way Anita Hill was treated when she came forward. #WhyIDidntReport

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) September 21, 2018

To people saying “Why didn’t he/she report it?” When something so evil happens to you it takes a long time to process it. In our victim-blaming culture it takes incredible courage to come forward. The victim is treated like the perpetrator.

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) September 22, 2018

Now, the \"Top Chef\" star is hoping that by opening up about what happened to her and why she kept quiet, others might understand why Christine Blasey Ford and Deborah Ramirez did not report their decades-old allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavaanaugh to police. Ford has accused Kavanaugh of attempting to sexually assault her while they were in high school and Ramirez claims Kavanaugh exposed himself to her when they were in college. Kavanaugh has denied both allegations.

\"I am speaking now because I want us all to fight so that our daughters never know this fear and shame and our sons know that girls’ bodies do not exist for their pleasure and that abuse has grave consequences,\" Lakshmi concluded. \"Those messages should be very clear as we consider whom we appoint to make decisions on the highest court of our land.\"

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