Singer Justine Skye gets personal about her experience with domestic violence.

In the five and a half video for her new single, “Build”, she reenacts the abuse she suffered in a past relationship.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khEd4Rt0nGQ]

During an interview with Billboard, the 23-year-old  revealed that she used to be the type of person who thought no one would put their hands on. But says domestic violence could happen to anyone and it’s up to that person to find the strength to leave.

“You must find the strength to remove yourself from the situation,” she said.  “Understand that you are important. You are valuable. Your life is valuable. Your love is valuable! You deserve so much better.”

She goes on to explain how abuse is common, both physically and mentally. And although people may be hurting in a relationship, they will choose to stay in it because they love that person so much and are oblivious to the signs of abusing being inflicted on them. But Skye told Billboard that making self-care a priority gave her the strength to leave her situation,.

“I chose to stop blaming myself,”  she said.  “I would think about the situation asking what I did wrong. I am focusing on all the things I did right. I am focusing on all the positive things that are happening in my life. After I went through this experience, I was so angry. I don’t think I had ever reached that point of anger and sadness in my life. I did not even know I could [get there]. But, what it did show me is how strong I am. ”

Skye opened up further  about her experience on Instagram and hoped that sharing her story will encourage other victims to find their own strength.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQwfERnxB8/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

“We all think we know what we’d do until it’s happening to you,” she wrote. ” Now, I’m not looking for sympathy and never thought this would be part of the story I’d be telling of my self.. unfortunately it is, but I won’t let it be what defines me.  I had to find the strength within myself and I’m hoping that through this video I can motivate whoever else is going through this or worse, to do the same.
You are strong, you are loved and you deserve so much better.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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