Gabrielle Union opens up about being raped at 19

Gabrielle Union recently opened up during an interview on The View about being raped at the age of 19.

The "Being Mary Jane" star shared details about the incident, saying it took place when she was working at a Payless Shoe Store. The person who raped her was an employee from another Payless store, she explained, adding that the same attacker raped another employee and robbed the store.

Now 41, Union revealed that she never wanted to be considered a victim.

"Being a victim is so comfortable. When something catastrophic happens in your life, everyone rallies around you," she said. "You're getting all of the attention and love and support you've always wanted, but it's not for something positive and I hated that. I hated feeling like a victim. I hated the cloak of victim-hood. I was like, 'I want to embrace being a survivor.'"

She expressed how strong her desire was to come back after she sued the store for negligence and emphasized that parents need to look into the criminal history of all establishments before allowing their children to be employed.

Fox News sent in a request for a response from a representative of Payless but did not receive any immediate response.

Union got engaged to NBA player Dwyane Wade of Miami Heat in December, sharing a photo of her ring on Instagram. Wade also posted the same shot on Instagram with the caption: "She said YES!!!"

"Being Mary Jane" will air its season finale Tuesday.