Former WWE Diva Melina achieved a great deal of fame during her time with the company. Melina is best known for her appearance on WWE’s Tough Enough reality show and subsequent run with the company from 2004-2011. She impressed audiences with her great athleticism and she won several championships during her time with WWE. Melina does still appear on the independent wrestling circuit on a few occasions, but her fame may have came with an unfortunate price. The former WWE Superstar recently revealed on Twitter that she has been the victim of sexual assault in the past and that she has been harassed on more than one occasion.
Been raped, been grabbed, been cornered and told things that a guy wants to do to me even though I told him to stop. All unwanted. All made me feel helpless, uncomfortable & scared of what’s going to happen next. Different levels but ALL WRONG regardless.
— MELINA (@RealMelina) December 16, 2017
Actor Matt Damon and comedian Josh Wolf controversially stated that not all cases of sexual misconduct should be handled the same way recently, and this is what promoted Melina to come forward with her own experiences with both rape and other unwanted sexual advances. She stressed that the actions “all made [her] feel helpless, uncomfortable & scared of what’s going to happen next. Different levels but ALL WRONG regardless.” Melina did not reveal who has victimized her in the past, nor did she specify that the incidents all occurred during her time working for WWE, but the revelation is still shocking and disheartening nonetheless.
Granted being cornered to be harassed & being grabbed didnt lead me to want to commit suicide like rape did but all were life altering. All made me feel like I had no power, I wasn’t safe, I had no value and I wasn’t a human being. That I was simply a thing. My worth, my purpose, my existence altered. If I say anything I’m a liar, exaggerating or looking for attention. So many suffer this helplessness in silence. Which I did for years. … I’m not looking to point fingers, I want to educate people on the subject, be here for victims and get those suffering in silence on the path to recovery. Sexual assault doesn’t just happen to women. Like @safehorizon posted on Twitter: … “Sexual assault doesn’t discriminate and neither should we. #MeToo has to include women of color, immigrants, LGBTQ, people living with disabilities, children and teenagers, the elderly, and yes, men and boys.” … Sadly this happens to more people than we realize. It effects us ALL.
A post shared by Melina Perez (@realmelina) on
Not long after her initial tweet, Melina posted updates on her Instagram and Facebook pages stating that she had suicidal thoughts after being raped. Melina said, “All made me feel like I had no power, I wasn’t safe, I had no value and I wasn’t a human being. That I am simply a thing. My worth, my purpose, my existence altered. If I say anything I’m a liar, exaggerating or looking for attention. So many suffer this helplessness in silence. Which I did for years.” The former Women’s Champion is not looking to blame anybody, but she says that she is instead looking to spread education on sexual assault and wants to help prevent anyone going through similar issues to harm or blame themselves, quoting “sexual assault doesn’t discriminate and neither should we. #MeToo has to include women of color, immigrants, LGBTQ, people living with disabilities, children and teenagers, the elderly, and yes, men and boys.” from non-profit organization Safe Horizon.