Nick Knowles' wife Katie says she's 'hurt' by victim-shaming amid David Walliams and Russell Brand scandals after being raped by her father for years

Nick Knowles' wife Katie has said that she's feeling 'hurt' by victim-shaming amid the David Walliams and Russell Brand scandals – after being raped by her father for years.

The 36-year-old bravely revealed earlier this year that she suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her father in a video where she discussed women's safety.

In light of Walliams and Brand being prevalent in the news this week, Katie – who married presenter Nick, 64, last year – has spoken out again about her experience, saying she 'blamed herself' for what her dad did to her. 

She said it has been hurtful to see people questioning why it often takes so long for victims to speak up as she highlighted two groups she was supporting that are campaigning to change the law so 'much older adults cannot have sexual relationships with 16- and 17-year-olds'. 

Brand, 51, was jailed for ten-and-a-half years at Southwark Crown Court on Monday after being convicted of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

While Walliams, 55, who denies wrongdoing, was unmasked as the celebrity who fought for a court order to suppress allegations that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl and preyed on multiple teenage girls while 'abusing his status' to exploit teens. 

He sought a High Court injunction to prevent publication of the claims, arguing he would take his own life if the allegations became public.

Reflecting on recent events, Katie penned in her post on Thursday: 'For years, I blamed myself for what my dad did to me. It took a long time to understand it wasn't my fault. With that, and the harassment I've suffered from men, especially when I was young, this week's news has brought up a lot.

'That's why it hurts to see people questioning how long someone takes to speak. Sometimes you're still trying to make sense of it yourself.

'Grooming, coercion and control can leave you doubting yourself and feeling trapped. Being frightened or coerced into saying yes is not consent.

'The allegations against David Walliams, include grooming and sexual assault involving girls as young as 15. They're women speaking now, but some were children then. Girls who should have been safe.

'We teach girls how not to be raped, then call them 'gullible' and leave them carrying the shame. We shouldn't still have to explain consent to grown men.

'And 'awful but lawful' should never be the standard for how adults treat children. Turning 16 doesn't suddenly remove the imbalance when the other person is much older, wealthy and famous.

'That's why I'm supporting @lalalaletmeexplain and @closetheconsentgap. They're campaigning to change the law so much older adults cannot have sexual relationships with 16- and 17-year-olds, while keeping consensual relationships with people close to their own age legal.'

She continued: 'I have so much respect for the women speaking out. I wish they'd never needed to be this brave. Russell Brand's ten and a half years for rape and sexual assault gives me hope that victims can be heard and powerful men held accountable.

'Then there's the 14-year-old who repeatedly stabbed a girl after she ended their relationship. After three months in a secure unit, he received no custodial sentence. The judge spoke about his ability to learn. She described nightmares and fear. What about her future?'

Katie finished her post by saying: 'I stand with all survivors, including those who haven't spoken and those who never got justice. Please think about how you respond to these cases. Someone close to you may be listening, wondering whether you'd believe them. Stop blaming and shaming victims. It was never your fault. It wasn't mine either.'

It comes months after she revealed what happened with her dad. 

Katie said in a video in April: 'I have never spoken about this publicly, other than to friends, family and even then not everyone.

'I was raped by my dad for years, years and years.' 

Sitting in her car, she continued: 'There are times when it comes up but I have had a lot of therapy to get to be being as balanced as I can be about it now, and can be is the important bit.

'Things like this, if you know a woman, if you are a woman, if you're a mother to women, just anything, any affiliation with women, I think we should be worried looking at the news.

'It's not all men, but it is. It is men. It is men who commit the majority of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

'In my case it was a man. It's almost always in sexual abuse like that, someone that you know or a family member or a partner, or an ex-partner. Almost always.'

Katie said her mood had 'dipped' that week as she read an exposé by US CNN outlet into a global online rape academy, where men share tactics for drugging and sexually assaulting women, often within relationships. 

She added: 'It's a terrifying world sometimes to think being a woman is like this, where I walked from the gym back to the car and I had my keys like this [tightly gripped] in my hand.

'I'm wearing this, a sports bra and shorts. I'm not asking for attention or rape, I sweat profusely at the gym but everyday with menopause so I wear this. And I'm really aware walking like that, is anyone looking at me? 

'I was at the gym and there were guys shouting and stuff and standing next to me at the machine... We shouldn't have to worry anymore.'

Katie was flooded with messages of support from her followers, who thanked her for sharing her ordeal and raising awareness.

Katie has two daughters from a previous relationship, and husband Nick has four children from three different relationships.

He shares his daughter and son with his ex-wife Gillian, while he has another son with dancer Paula Beckett.

Nick also has a third son, who was born in 2014, with his ex-wife Jessica.

Katie previously shared that it was her two children befriending Nick's son that led to the now married couple getting to know each other.  

Speaking about meeting Nick, she said: 'I actually didn't like him very much (...) 'I'm very shy and quiet, while Nick is quite extroverted and a complete chatterbox.'

Katie joked that Nick initially didn't give her much opportunity to talk but said when they went on a coffee date, she got to know him better and realised they had a lot in common.

The pair both said 'I do' during a lavish six-figure wedding at Braxted Park, Essex, last summer.

If you've been affected by issues raised in this report, support is available from Rape Crisis England & Wales 24/7 on 0808 500 2222 or chat online at 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.