MadameNoire Featured Video
Source: Getty / Getty
It is reported that nearly 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner every minute in the United States. This equates to more than 10 million women and men in a single year. One in four women and one in nine men has experienced severe physical violence from intimate partners, sexual violence from intimate partner contacts and/or intimate partner stalking with serious consequences such as injuries. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic background, occupation, or status.
Domestic Abuse Awareness Month (DVAM) was established worldwide in October 1987, according to the NCADV, to connect and unite individuals and organizations dealing with issues of domestic violence while raising awareness of these concerns. Many Americans live in terror every day, in their homes, schools and elsewhere. It is important to educate and raise awareness about domestic violence.
Many prominent victims have shared their personal experiences to raise awareness. Here are some fearless and brave celebrities who have survived domestic violence.
Tina Turner
Source: Alain DENIZE/Getty
In 1976, Tina divorced her husband Ike. Turner abused this music legend for several years. Tina spoke about the years of abuse in a documentary on HBO. According to Turner, when Tina objected to the touring plans Ike had made for the band while expecting Ronnie, their son, Ike hit back in her People interview by hitting her with a shoe stretcher.
“Maybe I was brainwashed. I was afraid of him and I cared what happened to him. And I knew there was no one to sing to when I left,” Turner says over the audio. Her ex-husband Turner, who died in 2007, says she has forgiven him. “Forgive is not holding on,” she says, “you let go.”
rihanna
Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty
Almost 13 years ago, a surprising and disturbing situation made headlines. Grammy winner Rihanna was violently attacked by her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown in 2009. “I just never understood that, like how the victim is punished over and over again,” Rihanna explained in an interview with Vanity Fair. An LA police officer claimed under oath that Chris Brown repeatedly slapped Rihanna in the face and arm while driving down the street in her rental car, and also bit her ear. But Rihanna makes it a point to put the past behind her and focus on the present. She told Vanity Fair adamantly, “I will take care of him until the day I die. We’re not friends, but it’s not like we’re enemies. We don’t have much of a relationship now.”
Hall Berry
Source: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/Getty
Berry has said publicly that she is a “victim of domestic violence.” In 1996, the talented actress told PEOPLE that an ex-boyfriend punctured her eardrums while punching her. Halle has been a volunteer at the Jenesse Center, a domestic violence intervention organization, for many years. After her experiences, Halle Berry stated that one of her goals in life was to “help others, especially women.”
Speaking at a gala for the Jenesse Center, she remarked, “I saw my mother being abused and beaten for many years of my life and I felt helpless.” She continued, “And that connects me to this organization . I have an understanding, a knowledge. I feel like I have something to convey to these women. It seems like I’ve gotten over it, but I really haven’t. In the stillness of my mind I’m still fighting. So while I’m helping these women, I’m also helping myself.”
Robin Givens
Source: Dominik Bindl/Getty
Givens married retired heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in February 1988. However, after allegations of physical violence, she filed for divorce from him eight months later. It’s well known that Tyson revealed to Oprah in 2009, “I’ve smacked her socks before, and she’s smacked my socks before. It was just that kind of relationship.” Givens made several damning charges against the heavyweight boxing champion during a joint appearance with Barbara Walters on ABC’s 20/20, calling their marriage “a disaster” and that he was a “manic man.”
Kelly Rowland
Credit: Michael Tullberg/Getty
Kelly Rowland has revealed a lot about her story in her album Talk A Good Game. In particular, the song “Dirty Laundry”. She wrote it to express the sadness she had experienced in the past. She was physically abused by her ex-boyfriend, damaging her relationships with Beyoncé and her family. When Rowland’s alleged abuser “caught” her, she claims he convinced her that no one else loved her, including her mother and Beyoncé, turning her longtime friend against her. After Beyoncé and Kelly’s reconciliation, she is now happily married with children.
Keke Wyatt
Credit: Brian Stukes/Getty
Keke Wyatt filed for a divorce from her husband in 2009 after detailing the years of abuse she endured. Keke once stabbed her ex-husband in self-defense. “It was a tragic scenario and I wanted to protect my children,” she said in an interview with Essence. Wyatt is currently focused on building an abuse-free environment for herself and her children. The artist is currently the spokesperson for the group Saving Our Daughters’ YELL Confidence program, which aims to empower young mothers and single mothers who have suffered domestic and dating abuse.
Evelyn Lozada
Credit: Michael Tullberg/Getty
In August 2012, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Basketball Wives star Evelynn Lozada got into a falling out. Johnson was taken into custody and charged with domestic violence. Soon after, Lozada filed for divorce. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the two sides came to a plea deal that included a year’s probation. The Miami Dolphins released Johnson after his arrest, and VH1 never aired the reality TV show starring the two. In 2020, The Real Lozada said, “My heart goes out to the victim and I know people please don’t tweet me and tell me, ‘That happened 4 years ago, get over it.’ It’s something that stays with you forever.”
Tyler Perry
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty
According to Tyler Perry’s 2009 report for PEOPLE, he faced domestic violence at a young age. He spoke about his mother’s futile attempts to leave his abusive father. Perry continues by telling the story of how a friend’s father attacked him. He then told them that his own father abused a friend. But that doesn’t stop him from teaching one of his principles, which is “learning to forgive.” Perry mentions, “I know there are a lot of people out there whose story is way worse than mine, but you can do it too. To those of you who did, welcome to life. I celebrate you.”
Angela Simmons
Source: Johnny Nunez/Getty
Earlier this year, reality star and entrepreneur Angela Simmons spoke with Angela Simmons in a segment of I GOT QUESTIONS MADAMENOIR on the impact of domestic violence on young women. Simmons’ own experience of intimate partner violence is a catalyst for the launch of a support program for young girls to combat DV.
Source: Bojan Mirkovic/Getty
Visit NCADV here for detailed information. Contact the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline online or by phone at 1-800-799-7233 for immediate assistance.
RELATED CONTENT: The storm within a storm: How victims of domestic violence can survive COVID-19
Comments are closed.