Lena Dunham: Date rape backlash was 'very very painful'

Lena Dunham with her memoir, Not That Kind Of Girl. Photo / AP

Lena Dunham found it "very, very painful" to be criticised for revealing she was date-raped.

The Girls star admits she was devastated when people "attempted to discredit" her story after she opened up about the horrifying incident in her memoir, Not That Kind of Girl, last year, but believes she received more support than most victims because she's famous.

The 28-year-old actress told the Today show: "It's a very very painful thing to share an episode that personal and receive criticism, but what I received was only a small percentage of the doubt and victim-blaming that most women who are sexually assaulted in this country experience. I am a celebrity with a platform and a lot of incredible support.

"Most women who come forward with accusations of sexual assault don't have those benefits.

"[They] don't have my legal and emotional and financial supports, and so for me I really feel like it enhanced my understanding of the cause and hopefully will make me a better advocate and activist in the future."

Dunham previously confessed she was initially "terrified" of sharing details about the assault in her book, but also found it therapeutic.

"I spent so much time ashamed, I don't feel that way anymore. And it's not because of my job, it's not because of my boyfriend, it's not because of feminism - though all those things helped - it's because I told the story. And I still feel like myself and I feel less alone."

- BANG! Showbiz