TW: This article contains in-depth discussion of sexual assault.
Love Island star Maura Higgins has opened up about a frightening encounter. It’s a difficult story to hear, but the reality star revealed she was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver after a night out with friends. Now, her story could help save someone else.
Maura Higgins recalls her terrifying cab ride which resulted in sexual assault
The Love Island alum, who was also recently cast for the upcoming season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, shared about her experience during an episode of the We Need To Talk podcast. Although it is 100% not her fault, she admitted that she still blames herself for what happened.
“I genuinely blame myself. It’s terrible,” she recalled.
According to Maura, the incident happened after going out with a group of friends. She sat in the front seat while the rest of her friends sat in the back. It’s a seating arrangement the Love Island Aftersun host vowed to never repeat.
“My friends got dropped off before me, and I fell asleep in the front seat. I had a short dress on, and I woke up and his hand was up my skirt. I never sobered up so quick in all my life,” Maura shared.
She continued, “I did not say anything because I thought if I say something he could genuinely knock me out. I was just thinking the worst. The whole way back I was thinking he was going to pull over. I remember getting out at my house and I could not get the key in the door. I was shaking that much.”
Once Maura got safely inside her home, she didn’t know how to process what happened. She wanted to report him, but she felt worried that the cab driver knew her home address. What if the driver came back for revenge?
With that in mind, Maura chose to stay quiet. Now, six years later, she said she still regrets not taking action against the driver.
“I should have because, you know, he could do that again,” she admitted. “I do regret not reporting him, he could do that to so many more women. But I was scared.”
If you are impacted by the topics in this story, we encourage you to contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.
TELL US – DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR MAURA AFTER SHARING HER STORY?
