America Ferrera Reveals She Was Sexually Assaulted When She Was 9

America Ferrerahas joined the growing list of women who have come forward to share personal experiences of sexual harassment and assault.

In response to the #MeToo movementtaking social media by storm, the actress shared a heartbreaking story Monday on Instagram, detailing the time she was sexually assaulted as a child.

“I told no one and lived with the shame and guilt of thinking all along that I, a 9-year-old child, was somehow responsible for the actions of a grown man,” Ferrera wrote, adding, “I had to see this man on a daily basis for years to come.”

The former “Ugly Betty” star explained that the man smiled and waved at her regularly.

“I would hurry past him, my blood running cold, my guts carrying the burden of what only he & I knew ― that he expected me to shut my mouth and smile back,” she wrote, before encouraging women to “break the silence” so future generations “won’t have to live with this bullshit.”

#MeToo became a trending topic on Twitter over the weekend; individuals used the hashtag to tell their own sexual assault and harassment stories with the aim of showing just how common the problem is.

The hashtag gained steam when actressAlyssa Milano urged her Twitter followersto reply “me too” if they had been victims of sexual assault or harassment, on the suggestion of a friend. Fellow actresses Debra Messing, Gabrielle Union, Anna Paquin and Anika Noni Rose, among others, responded in solidarity.

As of now, her tweet has over 58,000 replies and has been retweeted more than 20,000 times.

The #MeToo movement gained momentum afternews of Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s predatory behaviorcame to light in recent weeks. Reports published by The New York Times and The New Yorker provided damning details about the Miramax founder’s disturbing treatment of women.

Weinstein has been accused of sexual assault and harassment bydozens of women, including actresses Ashley Judd,Asia Argento,Gwyneth Paltrowand Mira Sorvino. Plenty of other stars, includingKate Winslet,Glenn Close,Leonardo DiCaprioandGeorge Clooney, have spoken out against Weinstein and condemned his actions.

As a result of the allegations, Weinstein has beenfired from his production company, The Weinstein Company, which isin negotiations for a potential sale. The producer’s wife, Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, also announcedshe is leaving her husband.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.