Minnie Driver Opens Up About Being Attacked as a Teen: "I Tried to Kick Him and He Punched Me"
FYI, violence against women is a reality outside the locker room.
It's been less than a week since leaked tapes of Donald Trump casually chatting about "pussy grabbing" surfaced, so now is 1,000,000,000 percent the time to remind men like him that violence against women is an actual (and completely un-funny) issue. In fact, not only did Amber Tamblyn recently open up about her horrifying experience with vaginal assault, Minnie Driver just recounted being attacked by a stranger when she was a teen.
"This guy came, and he kind of elbow grabbed me and he said, 'You're going to dance with me,'" Driver recalled during an appearance on SiriusXM's StandUP! with Pete Dominick. "And I said, 'No.' And I pulled my arm away from him and he grabbed me by the back of my hair and I tried to kick him and he punched me."
This is horrible, but equally depressing is the fact that police shamed Driver for the attack:
"The way they presented it was, this guy was just having a good time and if you'd gone along with it, it would have been fine," she said. "If you'd just danced with him, you wouldn't be in this position that you're in now. And I think that's the way it's framed for most young women. When you're 17, 18, you're going out, the idea of unwanted male attention is something that you're supposed to put up with because it is somehow your role that a guy can come and touch you. He can put his hand way too far down the small of your back so that his hand is kind of going into your butt and that that's alright. That you can be shepherded, herded, touched, mauled. I think young women have been belittled when they've said something. I remember getting called a 'prude.'"
Listen to Driver's full story below, and feel free to share it with anyone who downplays this type of behavior in your life.
Follow Marie Claire on Facebook for the latest celeb news, beauty tips, fascinating reads, livestream video, and more.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
-
Kim Kardashian Got the New Tesla Robot Before Anyone Else and Showed Off Its Dance Moves
"meet my new friend."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Makes Surprise Appearance at Major Sporting Event—And Shares What Position He'd Play in Football
The Duke of Sussex promoted his upcoming Invictus Games.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
A Collab for Dressing Like an Off-Duty Celebrity
Leset's famed loungewear and matching sets just landed at Madewell.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet Shot
So freaking cute.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic Characters
Talk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?
It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?
Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible"
"Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton's Latest Headache? Her Uncle Turned ‘Celebrity Big Brother U.K.’ Reality Star, Gary Goldsmith
Goldsmith, younger brother of Kate’s mother Carole Middleton, was reportedly “read the riot act” by his sister over his appearance on the show.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Before Meeting Prince Harry, Meghan Markle “Seriously Considered Applying” to Be on This Reality Dating Show
It has become obvious this week that Meghan is a reality television aficionado.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Candace Bushnell, Real-Life Carrie Bradshaw, Is Creating a Reality Dating Show for Women in their 50s
Bushnell is working on the show with the same production company behind ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians.’
By Rachel Burchfield Published