Westworld star Evan Rachel Wood reveals she was raped twice

Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood has said she "could no longer stay silent" as she revealed she has been raped twice.

The 29-year-old posted a letter on her Twitter account in which she spoke about being attacked by a "significant other" and by a bar owner.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Wood alluded to "physical, psychological and sexual abuse" she suffered during her years as a teenage star.

And now she has published the letter, previously sent to the magazine, about the assaults.

It says: "Well, since everything is out in the open now, figured I would share the confession letter I wrote to Rolling Stone in its entirety.

"I don't believe we live in a time where people can stay silent any longer. I certainly can't," she added.

Wood, who rose to fame in the 2003 coming-of-age drama Thirteen, said the attacks took place "many years ago" and contributed to her attempt to take her own life.

"I am still standing. I am alive. I am happy. I am strong. But I am still not okay," she said.

"Yes, I have been raped. By a significant other while we were together. And on a separate occasion, by the owner of a bar."

"The first time I was unsure that if it was done by a partner it was still in fact rape, until too late," she explained.

"Also, who would believe me?

"And the second time, I thought it was my fault and that I should have fought back more, but I was scared."

The American actress plays Dolores - a life-like robot host - on Sky Atlantic's sci-fi show Westworld.

In the first episode of the series, her character is shown being dragged off to be raped, but Wood has defended the show's depiction of sexual violence.

"The thing about Westworld is we don't actually show any act of rape," she told the magazine.

"I was affected by things being written off as locker-room talk - I had a very, very visceral reaction to it. But the show is definitely a commentary on that."

She also defended her relationship with her former fiancee, singer Marilyn Manson.

Manson and Wood started dating in 2007 and were engaged for one year, but the actress said she was "hurt" by the public's reaction to their relationship.

"People would call me a whore when I walked down the street, and you can't not be hurt by that," she said.

Wood said she opened up about sexual assault to "remind people of the damage that has been done".

And how "the trauma of a few minutes can turn into a lifetime of fighting for yourself".

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can also call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK.