Victim of ‘Predator’ Sex Offender Breaks Silence to Praise Olivia Munn for Speaking Out: ‘I Am Eternally Grateful’
Zack Sharf
Paige Carnes, the victim of registered sex offender Steven Wilder Striegel, has come forward to thank Olivia Munn for reporting Striegel’s history to 20th Century Fox. Striegel was cast and filmed scenes for “The Predator,” appearing in a brief scene opposite Munn in which his jogger character hits on her. Fox removed the actor’s scenes after Munn reported the discovery of Striegel being a registered sex offender. Carnes made her identity public and released a statement through the Los Angeles Times.
“[I am] eternally grateful for Olivia Munn’s action,” Carnes’ statement reads. “She spoke up for me. She took a stance for me. In turn she stood for all who have suffered like I have. To be acknowledged by a stranger, on a public platform about this issue is incredibly empowering. The positive feedback from social media towards Olivia Munn is uplifting and feels incredibly supportive for me personally.”
Carnes’ began her statement by saying its purpose was “to reclaim [her] identity.” The 24-year-old was only 14 when Striegel attempted to lure her into a sexual relationship on the internet. Carnes provided court documents to the Times that verified her identity. Striegel served six months in jail after pleading guilty to risk of injury to a child and enticing a minor by computer.
“Sexual abuse makes people uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable,” Carnes writes. “This discomfort is nothing compared to the psychological and physical suffering of those who have dealt with it…I was not able to speak for myself when I was 14…I have no shame for what was done to me. I am not the one who needs to carry that shame. My name is Paige Carnes, former Jane Doe.”
Munn recently appeared on “Ellen” and revealed she received pushback from Fox for telling her costars that she reported Striegel to Fox so that they wouldn’t be blinded when the original story went public. When asked for a statement by IndieWire, a representative for the studio declined to comment. Black, meanwhile, issued a new apology to the Associated Press, saying he takes “full responsibility” for the casting controversy.
20th Century Fox releases “The Predator” nationwide September 14. Head over to the Los Angeles Times to read Carnes’ statement in its entirety.
