Keira Knightley: 'I've been sexually assaulted four times'

Keira Knightley has confessed to being sexually assaulted four times and has praised the women who have spoken out about abuse within the workplace as part of the #MeToo movement.

Speaking in an interview with Variety magazine, the actress revealed she too has been a victim to sexual misconduct, not within the workplace but in her personal life.

"I’m fortunate that I’ve never been sexually abused professionally or harassed on a film set," the 32-year old confessed, "but in my personal life, when I'm in bars, I can count four times when I've been what I'd say was assaulted in a minor way."

Actress Keira Knightley arrives at the World Premiere for The Duchess at Odeon Leicester Square on September 3, 2008 in London, England. Source: Getty
Actress Keira Knightley arrives at the World Premiere for The Duchess at Odeon Leicester Square on September 3, 2008 in London, England. Source: Getty

The mother-of-one said the 'minor' assaults had all happened in bars, and that her girlfriends have also experienced similar experiences.

She went on to praise the victims who had spoken out about their sexual harassment experiences within the film industry and said the industry must find ways to ensure the culture of abuse and silence is broken so this sort of thing doesn't happen again.

Harvey Weinstein (L) and actress Keira Knightley attend the after party for The Weinstein Company's 'The Imitation Game' Los Angeles special screening hosted by CHANEL at Chateau Marmont on November 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Source: Getty
Harvey Weinstein (L) and actress Keira Knightley attend the after party for The Weinstein Company's 'The Imitation Game' Los Angeles special screening hosted by CHANEL at Chateau Marmont on November 10, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Source: Getty


"I think everyone has battled their fair share of monsters,' she told the publication.

Keira Knightley in The Imitation Games. Source: Supplied
Keira Knightley in The Imitation Games. Source: Supplied

The London-based actress was also asked about disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Knightley told the outlet she'd only worked with him a handful of times, and had only "professional experiences" with him on two films, The Imitation Game and Begin Again.

"He certainly didn't ask me for massages or anything like that."

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