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Laura Dern reveals she was sexually assaulted at the age of 14... but only just realized she was a victim after spending years 'justifying the behavior' of her abuser

Published: 11:38 EDT, 18 October 2017 | Updated: 12:51 EDT, 18 October 2017

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Laura Dern has revealed she was sexually assaulted at the age of just 14.

The actress, 50, explained she had only realized she was a victim this week after attending Monday night's ELLE's Women in Hollywood event, in which her peers discussed the explosive fallout from the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault revelations.

Speaking during an appearance on Wednesday night's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Big Little Lies star admitted she was 'one of the lucky ones' to escape the clutches of her abuser.

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Victim: Laura Dern has revealed she was sexually assaulted at the age of just 14 during an appearance on Wednesday night's episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Dern said although her mother, actress Diane Ladd, 81, informed her she had been a victim in her teens, she has spent years 'justifying behavior'.

She explained of the realization: 'It was an extraordinary experience to have this shared space and a tribe of women and artists talking about this industry, and ultimately therefore talking about sexual harassment in the workplace.

'And a very interesting thing happened this morning. I woke up and I realized that in that space I talked about how I was one of the lucky ones because I was raised by actors who told me their stories and told me what to look out for... and I realized that I was I still justifying behavior.

'And it was my mom who said, "No, no, no, Laura - that was sexual assault. That was harassment. That was assault. You were 14 then."

Tough: The actress, 50, explained she had only realized she was a victim this week after attending Monday night's ELLE's Women in Hollywood event

Back in the day: The Big Little Lies star (pictured right in 1981) admitted she was 'one of the lucky ones' to escape the clutches of her abuser

The Jurassic Park star said she now realized how as a culture 'we have justified, and therefore even condoned behavior, as though it's the norm'.

The actress added that of the people who attended the event - including the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Margot Robbie and Cindy Crawford - there was no-one who hadn't experienced some form of sexual wrongdoing at some point.

Dern, the daughter of Oscar-nominated actors Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern, said the most exciting thing to come from the gathering was the discussion surrounding formation of a new commission, which was presented by Lucas film president Kathleen Kennedy.

The idea is to form 'a place that you can feel safe, even anonymously, to reach out and say, "There is an abuse of power here and something is not OK".'

During the interview, Dern also discussed her upcoming role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, joking that she could reveal 'absolutely nothing' without being arrested.

Supportive: Dern said although her mother, actress Diane Ladd, 81, informed her she had been a victim in her teens, she has spent years 'justifying behavior' (pictured on Monday)

Opening up: The Jurassic Park star told Ellen she now realized how as a culture 'we have justified, and therefore even condoned behavior, as though it's the norm'

Family affair: The star attended the ELLE Women In Hollywood event with her actress mother Diane Ladd, 81, as well as her son Ellery Harper, 16, and daughter Jaya, 12

'I am actually in it, I did have the greatest experience of my life, I felt like I was seven years old again,' she gushed.

The actress revealed that her character wields a blaster in at least one scene; while also sheepishly admitting that couldn't help committing the same on-set crime as Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen before her; obliviously making her weapon's sound effects.

Dern's comments come amid the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal, which has seen more than 30 women have now come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against the Hollywood producer, once described as 'God' of the film industry.

The accusations, including from some of the world's most famous actresses, range from inappropriate massages to rape over a three-decade period.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Cara Delevingne, Kate Beckinsale, Lea Seydoux, Rose McGowan, Ashley Judd and Rosanna Arquette are among the high-profile names to have come forward.

Secret: During the interview, Dern also discussed her upcoming role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, joking that she could reveal 'absolutely nothing' without being arrested