“iZombie” star Rahul Kohli has opened up about being a victim of sexual abuse when he was a child.
Taking to social media, 33-year-old Kohli said he wanted to come forward with his story because he didn’t want to protect his alleged abuser anymore.
“The longer I keep my secret, the longer I feel like I’m protecting someone who doesn’t deserve it and letting down others who are too afraid to step forward and confront their own past,” the London-born actor wrote. “I was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.”
“We are not alone and we are not to blame.”
Fellow actor Mehcad Brooks, who appears on “Supergirl” alongside Kohli, responded to Kohli’s message with a supportive and heartfelt message.
“Love you brother. You have my support and thank you so much for your strength and bravery,” he wrote. “Not only is it inspiring — you’re going to awaken those that may be in the unnecessary shadows about this.”
A teary-eyed Kohli later took to his Instagram story to thank everyone for sending him positive messages.
“I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the messages of support today,” he said. “I haven’t really processed everything right now it’s been kind of a secret for 25 years …”
Kohli reiterated that he came forward wanting to help others cope with their pain and suffering.
“I was hoping that by coming forward and being more open and honest about what I went through in some way that might help someone who is still in the dark, still in isolation … can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “You can get out on the other side.”