YouTuber Kwak Hyeol-soo bravely recounts taxi driver sexual assault: 'Victims shouldn't have to hide'

YouTuber Kwak Hyeol-soo, who boasts over 210,000 subscribers, has bravely shared her experience of being sexually assaulted by a taxi driver last year, pleading, 'The world shouldn't be a place where victims have to hide.'

On March 2nd, Kwak uploaded a video titled 'It took a long time to bring this up' to her YouTube channel. She revealed the horrific incident that occurred a year ago, stating, 'I want to upload videos that focus more on mental and physical health moving forward.'

She disclosed that she was sexually assaulted by a taxi driver around 2 AM on May 23rd of last year. At the time, she was intoxicated and on her way home from a gathering. The driver parked in her apartment complex's parking lot and committed the assault in the back seat.

Recalling the agonizing moment, she shared, 'I was in so much pain and suffering, I struggled, but then I just lost consciousness. This is what happened.' She mentioned trying not to cry to avoid accusations of seeking financial gain but found tears uncontrollable.

Kwak revealed that she has been crying for 331 out of 365 days over the past year and has suffered severe physical after-effects, requiring ongoing gynecological treatment for over a year.

'I took so many antibiotics and medications that my body is completely ruined. The medicine was too strong,' she explained. 'I get my period twice a month. My hair started falling out like crazy. Everything is ruined now.' She also suffers from panic disorder, seizures, depression, anxiety, lethargy, and hyperventilation. 'Pretending to be cheerful in front of the camera was too much. Even resting didn't help my life. Speaking in front of the camera is even harder. It's so unfair. The lawsuit isn't over yet. I'm in a very difficult state. My cheerful demeanor in the video feels so artificial. I'm going to see a psychiatrist tomorrow,' she added.

She particularly highlighted the immense pain caused by hiding her victimhood and the subsequent investigation. 'Honestly, I'm a victim of sexual assault, but I don't understand why I have to hide. I didn't commit a crime, so why do I have to live in hiding?' she questioned. 'But I thought if I told people I was sexually assaulted, they'd see me as pitiful and unfortunate, thinking 'Oh, she was sexually assaulted,' so I continued my life as a YouTuber.' She reported experiencing severe panic attacks, seizures, hyperventilation, depression, and anxiety yesterday. She also revealed a past suicide attempt, drawing deep sympathy.

Kwak reported the incident to the police the day after it occurred but claims to have experienced secondary victimization during the investigation. 'The police asked me, 'Why didn't you report it immediately when you were sexually assaulted?' ' she recounted tearfully. 'Do you think you could report it immediately if you went through it yourself?' She added, 'It's no use. I reported it right after waking up in bed, but nothing changed. It only made me feel more distressed. I feel trapped in a 165cm box. What did I do wrong? I just took a taxi because I missed the last bus.'

Stating, 'After that incident, brightness disappeared from my life,' Kwak drew strength from the empathy and support of other women who have suffered similar experiences. 'You have to go to the Sunflower Center to collect evidence from your entire body. I went right away. They told me it's rare and remarkable for people to come here after such an incident,' she said. 'If you are sexually assaulted, please report it and don't wash. Without evidence, a lawsuit is impossible. Without evidence, no one will believe you.' She wondered how many women might have gone through this in taxis and vowed, 'Even if it costs my entire fortune, I will never lose and will see this through to the end. I will work even harder on YouTube. Thinking of the victims, I will fight harder and not lose. Why should I hide? I will live on with strength.' She expressed her desire to 'film videos to heal and recover together with others who share the same pain of sexual assault.'

Netizens are sending messages of support for Kwak Hyeol-soo's courageous confession. Comments include, 'You must have gone through such a difficult time, thank you for confessing,' 'You did nothing wrong. I hope you gain strength and overcome this,' and 'I will look for ways to help you.'