GK Barry reveals she was raped at 17
The TikTok star shared her story hoping to help others who have experienced similar trauma.
Incident → evidence → outcomeSocial media personality Grace Keeling, known to her followers as GK Barry, has publicly stated that she was raped at the age of 17. The 27-year-old shared her experience on Saturday, explaining that she had previously kept the assault secret due to fear. This marks the first time she has spoken about the incident publicly.
Ms Keeling expressed her hope that by sharing her story, others who have felt unable to speak out about similar experiences will be encouraged to do so. She stated, "I hope by speaking about it it might help others to know they can too, and it wasn’t their fault." She added that she also hopes her disclosure can help prevent others from facing similar situations.
She also mentioned receiving support from the charity Rape Crisis, stating, "I’ve been speaking with an amazing charity Rape Crisis who I wish I’d known about at the time. They offer 24/7 support and advice if anyone needs it."
GK Barry gained significant popularity on TikTok during the Covid-19 lockdown, becoming known for her unfiltered stories and self-deprecating humour. Her career has since expanded to include her own podcast, "Saving Grace," and appearances on television programmes such as ITV's "Loose Women" and "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!" in 2024.
Rape Crisis provides a 24-hour support line for individuals affected by rape and sexual abuse. The service can be contacted in England and Wales on 0808 500 2222, in Scotland on 0808 801 0302, and in Northern Ireland on 0800 024 6991.
Questions this report answers
01What has GK Barry revealed about her past?
Social media personality GK Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has revealed that she was raped at the age of 17. She shared this information publicly on Saturday, stating she had previously been too afraid to speak about the assault.
02Why has GK Barry shared her story?
Grace Keeling stated she hopes her disclosure will encourage others who have experienced similar trauma to speak out and know that it was not their fault. She also expressed a desire to help prevent others from going through the same situation.
03What support is available for people affected by sexual assault?
Grace Keeling mentioned consulting with the charity Rape Crisis, which offers 24/7 support and advice. Contact numbers for Rape Crisis are available for England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Support is available without a police report
Find London services, specialist support and the rights set out in the Victims’ Code. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
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