By Stig Editor
“I Couldn’t Move, I Just Got So Scared”: Married at First Sight Bride Katie Johnstone Shares Harrowing Experience of Rape at 20
Katie Johnstone, known for her appearance on Married at First Sight Australia, has bravely opened up about a deeply traumatic chapter in her life—revealing she was raped just before her 21st birthday.
In an emotional revelation, Katie described the horrifying moment she froze in fear during the assault by a man she knew and trusted. “I couldn’t move, and I just got so scared,” she recounted. The traumatic event left her devastated both physically and emotionally. She remained in her apartment for two weeks afterward, unable to speak about what had happened.
Katie later sought medical treatment for a serious urinary tract infection caused by internal injuries sustained during the assault. Despite the physical evidence, she did not undergo a forensic rape kit examination or report the crime to police. A psychologist advised her that, given the time that had passed and the absence of immediate evidence, a legal case might not succeed.
For over a year, Katie avoided labeling the incident as rape, instead referring to it only as “the event.” The trauma impacted her deeply, affecting her self-image and prompting her to change her appearance to feel less desirable. “I didn’t want people to look at me,” she said. “I wanted to hide.”
Her experience on Married at First Sight Australia brought its own set of challenges. Katie was paired with Tim Groomie, and their relationship quickly deteriorated after their televised wedding. Tim criticized her appearance and allegedly gaslighted her, leading to more emotional distress. “I was hurting so much,” Katie admitted. “I thought I was strong, but I didn’t realize how broken I still was.”
Despite these painful experiences, Katie has turned her suffering into strength. She pursued a degree in psychology and is now a certified life coach, dedicating her work to helping others overcome trauma and rediscover their self-worth.
“I want people to know they’re not alone,” she said. “What happened to me doesn’t define me—but how I rise from it does.”
Katie’s candidness is being widely praised as a powerful step toward breaking the silence around sexual violence and empowering survivors to seek healing and justice on their own terms.