Sandra Bullock reveals she was left 'terrified' after being sexually harassed as a teenager

The Hollywood star was 16 years old at the time
Terrifying: Actress Sandra Bullock
Tibrina Hobson/Getty
Emma Powell2 May 2018
The Weekender

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Sandra Bullock has said she was left "paralysed" after being sexually harassed as a teenager.

The Hollywood star said she was 16 at the time and was terrified nobody would believe her.

Bullock, who donated $500,000 (£368,000) to the Time's Up campaign, said she feels it is her "duty" to help other victims.

"It's easy to give money to people who are incredibly brave and outspoken," she told InStyle.

Speaking out: Sandra Bullock has opened up about the 'paralysing' ordeal
Getty Images

"But Time's Up is not just about the actors - it's about the single mom who's been abused, bullied, and sexually harassed and is just trying to make every day safe.

"I also love All Raise, which has partnered with Time's Up to help close the gap on funding for women and minorities in technology.

"It's our duty to do whatever we can to help. I can safely say there is not one person I know who hasn't experienced some form of [harassment] or doesn't know someone [it's happened to].

Force for change: Actress Rose McGowan was among the first women to publicly shame those she accused of sexual harassment
Dave Benett

"It happened to me when I was 16. And you're paralysed to a degree, thinking, 'Will anyone believe me?' And at that time? No."

Bullock, who has adopted children Louis, eight, and Laila, five, said she is hoping to raise them to be fearless and confident enough to speak out.

She said: "Up until recently it was the victim who was shamed, not the perpetrator. But just like with this [March For Our Lives], we can do peaceful protests and utilise the media. We're raising our children to be fearless. At least I hope I'm raising my kids that way."

Bullock is the latest Hollywood star to speak out about her own experience of sexual misconduct since the Me Too and Time's Up movements began.

Additional reporting PA

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