Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Danniella Westbrook speaks for first time

Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook has opened up about a drug debt which resulted in her being kidnapped and gang raped.
Addressing the traumatising event for the first time, the 39-year-old reveals her ordeal lasted for 48 hours back in the 90s.
After being kidnapped for owing ‘silly money’ for cocaine, the actress who was at the height of her career at the time said: ‘They all raped me and took it in turns.’
Ordeal: Danniella Westbrook has opened up about being gang raped back in the 90s
Ordeal: Danniella Westbrook has opened up about being gang raped back in the 90s

The event, which is documented in her new autobiography, Faith, Hope And Clarity, occurred after the gang, to who she owed £5,000, showed up at her house to try and claim it back.

But, unable to pay such a high sum she was kidnapped and taken to a ground-floor flat nearby.
Daniella reveals that she was then given drugs and alcohol for 12 hours straight before things took an even nastier turn.
Trauma: The incident occurred back in the 90s when she was at the height of her career in EastEnders
Trauma: The incident occurred back in the 90s when she was at the height of her career in EastEnders

She said: ‘I know all three of them did different things. Repeatedly. They all forced themselves on me.’
Unable to escape because she was too high on drinks and drugs, she admits she felt there ‘was no point resisting’.
She continued: ‘For them, a two-day drugs and sex binge. For me a life-time sentence. Each time I lay there and let them get on with it.
Putting it behind her: Danniella let loose at her recent book launch after speaking about the incident for first time
Putting it behind her: Danniella let loose at her recent book launch after speaking about the incident for first time

‘I tried to mask it out, tried to pass out. There was no point resisting. Not with three of them.’
Following the incident she was thrown on the street without any way to call for help and too scared to tell anyone she kept it a secret up until very recently, not even telling the police.
Like many victims she believed she was to blame for what happened because of her cocaine addiction – on which she thought she could have spent £250,000 on over the years. 
Born again: These days Danniella has her life on track after battling with drug addiction in the past
Born again: These days Danniella has her life on track after battling with drug addiction in the past 

Her family only became aware of what had occurred earlier this year, ahead of the release of her book -Faith, Hope And Clarity- last week. 
Fortunately she tested clear for any STI’s and HIV but the incident has had a more lasting effect on her.
The born again Christian admits she still struggles to watch sex attacks on TV and she doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to completely forget what happened during those 48 hours.
Speaking recently about juggling her faith with her fame, the actress said: 'I have given my life to the Lord. If you had told me two years ago that I was going to be Christian, I would have laughed.
'I used to tell people, "I'm way past saving".
'But the first time I came to this church, I felt something so spiritual and amazing that I wanted to cry.'