Gabrielle Union Shares How She Overcame Being Raped at 19: ‘I hated feeling like a victim’ [Video]

Gabrielle Union opened up about how she overcame being raped at gunpoint aged 19 on The View this morning, encouraging others who have been through the same not sit idly by and play the ‘victim’.

She told the audience:

“I got sick of people letting me off the hook. Being a victim is so comfortable. People give you attention, people are nurturing, they’re basically what you’ve wanted your whole life without something bad happening. So, when something catastrophic happens, everyone rallies around you. You’re getting all the attention, love and support you’ve always wanted. But it’s not for something positive. I hated that. I hated feeling like a victim. I hated the cloak of victimhood.”

She continued:

“They were going to allow me to be a victim and not success and not achieve any of my goals and not step outside the box.  I want to embrace being a survivor. Because that’s who I am. I wasn’t raised to be coddled. I was raised to be an independent woman, standing on my own two feet.”

The 41-year-old actress, told viewers how she ended up suing former employer Payless for being negligent in providing a safe work environment. She also warned parents to pay attention to the establishments and hours their young teens are working at.

Check out the clip below!