Anyone could be a victim of abuse – Nollywood actress recounts experience

Nollywood actress Monalisa Stephen has opened up about her experience in an abusive relationship.

The big-sized actress, during an interview with Saturday Beats, disclosed that the whole experience was unexpected and painful as she did not recognize the abuse for what it was until it turned physical.

She said, “I didn’t realize it was happening to me

“I’d heard other women talk about abuse, but I never thought it could happen to me. I used to think,

‘I’m a big woman, why would anyone want to hurt me?’ But abuse isn’t about your size.

“Anyone can be a victim, whether you’re large or not. When I got that first slap, I was in shock. It came out of nowhere and over something so insignificant.

“I was dazed. The whole experience was unexpected and painful because I trusted him.”

Despite knowing he wasn’t on her level, the actress expressed regret for lowering her standards to date him.

“This person continued to beat and humiliate me. When I confronted him, asking why he was doing this, he told me his friend advised him that women like me needed to be ‘bent’ to be dominated. That completely changed how I saw some men,” she added