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Lena Dunham speaks at Power of Women luncheon, recalls how rape made her feel 'powerless'

"As a feminist and as a sexual assault survivor, my ultimate goal is to use my experience, my platform, and yes, my privilege, to reverse stigma and give voice to other survivors," Dunham said.

By Karen Butler
Actress Lena Dunham attends the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Actress Lena Dunham attends the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2015. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

NEW YORK, April 26 (UPI) -- Girls writer and actress Lena Dunham opened up at Variety's Power of Women luncheon in New York about how powerless she felt when she was sexually assaulted.

People magazine reported she made the remarks as she accepted an award for her work with GEMS, an organization that helps girls who are victims of human trafficking.

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The 28-year-old artist first revealed she had been raped by a college classmate in her memoir Not That Kind of Girl.

"When I was raped, I felt powerless. I felt my value had been determined by someone else, someone who sent me the message that my body was not my own and my choices were meaningless," Dunham said at Friday's luncheon.

"It took years to recognize my personal worth was not tied to my assault. The voices telling me I deserved this were phantoms, they were liars," she added. "As a feminist and as a sexual assault survivor, my ultimate goal is to use my experience, my platform, and yes, my privilege, to reverse stigma and give voice to other survivors."

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