Maura Higgins said she wishes she reported him

Love Island star Maura Higgins has opened up about her harrowing sexual assault experience.

In an interview on Paul C Brunson’s We Need To Talk podcast, Higgins said she was attacked by a taxi driver.

She said she blamed herself following the horrifying ordeal.

"I genuinely blame myself. It's terrible.

"We got in a taxi coming home from a night out. My friends got in the back, I got in the front because there was no more seats in the back. I won't do that again," she explained.

"My friends got dropped off before me and I fell asleep in the front seat. I had a short dress on and I woke up and his hand was up my skirt. I never sobered up so quick in all my life," she said.

Maura said she was afraid of saying anything to the man in case he knocked her out.

She said her mind went to the worst possible place following the incident.

"I did not say anything because I thought if I say something he could genuinely knock me out. I was just thinking the worst.

"The whole way back I was thinking he was going to pull over. I remember getting out at my house and I could not get the key in the door. I was shaking that much," she said.

Maura never reported the man but said she really regrets not doing anything about it.

"I do regret not reporting him, he could do that to so many more women. But I was scared," she added.

Maura's fans have praised her for discussing such a harrowing ordeal so publically.

You can contact the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 77 8888 if you have been affected by issues mentioned in this article.

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