A lawsuit was filed against actor Tom Sizemore by a woman from Utah, accusing him of groping her when she was just 11 years old.
The incident reportedly occurred in 2003 while they were both working on the film “Born Killers.”
Kiersten Pyke, now 26, has come forward to speak out about the alleged assault and stand up for other child actors.
In a press conference held at her attorney’s office in Salt Lake City, Pyke shared her story for the first time publicly, around six months after revealing the accusations against Sizemore.
She expressed how the traumatic experience during the filming of “Born Killers” shattered her aspirations of pursuing an acting career, leading to enduring effects like post-traumatic stress disorder and struggles with substance abuse.
Pyke and her legal representative, Robert Sykes, are seeking $3 million in damages through the lawsuit, despite doubts about Sizemore’s financial capacity due to his declining career.
Their primary goal is to convey a message that inappropriate behavior towards children is unacceptable.
Asserting that no amount can compensate for the lost innocence of her childhood, Pyke emphasized the importance of speaking up against such misconduct for the sake of other vulnerable children who might find themselves in similar situations.
She underlined the significance of raising awareness and ensuring accountability for such actions.
Accompanied by her therapy dog, Diesel, Pyke emotionally recounted her ordeal, highlighting the irreparable impact it had on her life.
Despite the norm of not disclosing identities of s–ual assault victims, Pyke chose to reveal her name to share her narrative openly.
Sizemore refuted the allegations upon their emergence, labeling them as “highly disturbing” and vehemently denied any wrongdoing involving a minor.
However, his spokesperson, Michelle Salem, refrained from immediate comments following the recent lawsuit.
Back in 2003, Salt Lake City authorities investigated the claims but opted not to press charges due to challenges related to evidence and witnesses.
Despite his notable roles in films like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Black Hawk Down,” Sizemore has faced legal issues stemming from substance abuse and domestic violence incidents over the years.
Recalling her initial excitement about working on a Hollywood project alongside a renowned actor, Pyke revealed how the incident with Sizemore shattered her enthusiasm and trust.
The alleged misconduct occurred during a scene involving a Christmas morning portrayal where Sizemore played her character’s father, leading to unsettling repercussions for Pyke.
The decision to pursue legal action came after the Hollywood Reporter published an article last year, featuring testimonies from individuals involved in the movie production corroborating Pyke’s account.
Accounts from the casting director and fellow actors supported Pyke’s claim of misconduct by Sizemore during the filming process.
Despite facing obstacles in seeking justice earlier, Pyke remains determined to challenge the circumstances that shielded Sizemore in the past.
With a resolve to overcome the barriers encountered by her family back then, Pyke expressed her determination to seek justice and bring closure to the long-standing trauma caused by the alleged assault.
