Nigeria: ‘It wasn’t your fault’: GK Barry

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Social media influencer and broadcaster GK Barry has shared for the first time that she was raped when she was 17, saying she hopes speaking out will help other survivors feel less alone.

The 27-year-old podcaster and _Loose Women_ panelist, whose real name is Grace Keeling, posted about the assault on Saturday. In the Instagram statement, she said she had kept it to herself for 10 years out of fear.

“When I was 17 I was raped and I’ve spent the last 10 years not telling anyone out of fear,” she wrote. 

“I have been extremely nervous about speaking about this and for a long time tried to push it to one side and not think about it but I hope by speaking about it it might help others to know they can too, and it wasn’t their fault.”

The post marks the first time Keeling has spoken publicly about what happened to her. Known online as GK Barry, she built her platform through podcasts, TikTok, and reality TV before becoming a regular voice on ITV’s _Loose Women_. 

In her statement, she did not share further details about the assault, the location, or whether it was reported to police. The focus of the post, she said, was on breaking silence and removing shame.

For a long time tried to push it to one side and not think about it,” she wrote. That approach, common among survivors, often comes from fear of not being believed, fear of judgment, or fear of reliving trauma.

By speaking now, she said she wants to send a direct message to anyone else carrying a similar secret: you can talk, and the blame does not belong to you.

The line “it wasn’t their fault” was repeated as the core of her message. Experts and support organizations consistently highlight that self-blame is one of the biggest barriers that stops survivors from seeking help.

Within hours of posting, Keeling’s statement was shared widely by fans and fellow creators. Many responded with messages of support, thanking her for her honesty and saying her words gave them courage.

Because Keeling has a large, young audience on social media and podcasting, her disclosure reached people who may not usually engage with conversations about sexual violence. That reach is part of why public figures speaking out can have such impact — it normalizes seeking help and shows survivors they are not isolated.

ITV and _Loose Women_ have not released a separate statement, but colleagues and co-panelists offered support in the comments of her post.

Keeling’s experience reflects a pattern seen in data from sexual violence charities. Many survivors wait years, or never disclose, due to fear, shame, or concern about how it will affect their work and relationships.

For someone in the public eye, that pressure can be even greater. A media personality’s personal life is often subject to public comment, and speaking about trauma can invite both support and unwanted scrutiny. 

Keeling acknowledged that nervousness directly in her post. “I have been extremely nervous about speaking about this,” she wrote. The decision to post anyway suggests she weighed that risk against the possibility of helping someone else.

The central purpose of Keeling’s post was not to detail the assault, but to speak to other people who have been through similar experiences.

By saying “I hope by speaking about it it might help others to know they can too,” she positioned herself not as an expert, but as a peer. That peer-to-peer tone is often what resonates most with young audiences on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where Keeling has millions of followers.

Her message also pushes back against a culture that tells survivors to stay quiet. “It wasn’t their fault” directly counters the victim-blaming narratives that still appear online and in conversations about sexual assault.

Keeling did not indicate whether she will discuss the topic further on her podcast or on television. She also did not share information about support services she has used.

For now, the post stands as a standalone statement. In it, she chose to name the experience, name the fear that kept her silent, and name the hope that speaking could help others.

That is a significant step. Research from charities shows that hearing someone they admire talk openly about survival can reduce feelings of isolation and increase the likelihood that others will reach out for support.

In other countries, local rape crisis centers and healthcare providers offer confidential support. You do not have to go through it alone.

GK Barry has built her career on being open, funny, and direct with her audience. This post was a different kind of directness. 

By saying she was raped at 17 and stayed silent for 10 years, she gave language to an experience many people hide. By adding “it wasn’t their fault,” she gave permission to let go of blame.

She does not owe anyone more details. What she has shared already — the truth, the fear, and the hope — is enough to remind survivors that silence is not the only option, and that speaking, when and if you are ready, is an act of strength.