Actress addresses public over domestic violence claims

July 3, 2017 10:28 PM

Mercy Aigbe used the opportunity to ask the public to refrain from asking her not to talk about domestic violence on her social media.

Mercy Aigbe at the #1in3Africa walk against domestic violence

Considering her experience with domestic violence, being a part of the initiative was a big deal for the Nollywood actress whose seven-year-old marriage fell apart a few months back.

She used the opportunity to ask the public to refrain from asking her not to talk about domestic violence on her social media.

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Since their marriage came to a bitter end, Aigbe and her estranged husband, Lanre Gentry have been embroiled in a back and forth on social media, each trying their best to outdo the other.

Speaking at the walk, Mercy said:

"Violence should not be an option irrespective of whatever the situation is. Nobody should resort to violence because, at the end of it all, it doesn't solve anything. It actually makes things worse. So I am here to say no to domestic violence, no to assault, no to battery.

"Under any circumstance, a man should never hit his wife. Only weak men, only cowards hit their wives. To women who are going through such, I would say please come out, speak about it. Stop protecting that man. Stop shielding that man because any man that hits you, he doesn't love you. The minute the man raises up his hand to slap or hit or punch you, that means there is no more love in that relationship.

"There is no more love in that marriage. So stop shielding the man. Come out. Speak about it and if possible make sure you prosecute such a person and the person is brought to book. Violence is a no no. It should not be condoned. It should not be tolerated and also by making sure that whoever is found wanting is brought to book. Please people, Let us stop shaming the victims. There is no shame in our pain. I am a victim and I am proud to say that I am a victim. I am talking about it because I have chosen to talk about it. A lot of people say she is a celebrity.

"Yes, I am a celeb according to you guys, but I am also a human being. I have blood flowing in my veins. I have feelings. If I choose to talk about it, leave me let me speak out it. Do not come shaming me and telling me how I should not come to social media to say what I want to say. I have the right and I am a human being. So let me talk about it because I feel my talking about it will actually give voice to the voiceless.

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"My talking about it will encourage one woman out there who is going through such a thing and who cannot stand up to come out and be bold enough and be courageous about it and to stand up to that bully who she calls her husband." she said.

Mercy and Lanre were married for seven years and share a son together.