Abigail Breslin opens up about an abusive relationship

Abigail Breslin sheds light on domestic violence.

The Little Miss Sunshine actress took to Instagram to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to share her personal story of surviving an abusive relationship.

“As a DV survivor, I felt compelled to write a little about my story,” Breslin wrote. “I was in a very abusive relationship for almost two years. It all started perfectly, I was so in love. Unfortunately my abuser took advantage of my innocence and naivety and the relationship turned violent as a result.”

Breslin shared that she was “regularly beaten, locked in rooms, and forced to pretend everything was fine and normal while dealing with serious injuries” that “most people never even saw.” The ‘Accused’ star wrote that she covered up her injuries and bruises with makeup because she was “still taking care of her abusive partner” despite “a plethora of belittling, shaming and harsh abuse” that she received felt that being her was “worthy of no one’s love”.

“I felt ugly and hated,” Breslin continued. “I felt like I deserved less than dirt. I was certain that there must be something inherently WRONG about ME.”

She called the two years she was with her abuser the “loneliest I’ve ever felt.”

After leaving the relationship, Breslin thanked her friends and family for helping her cope. “I will forever be indebted to those closest to me for not only helping me, but BELIEVING me,” said the Zombieland actress. “I still have occasional nightmares and certain things still trigger me. I’m still healing.”

Breslin concluded, “The consequences of abuse are a complicated and individual experience. I hope sharing a little more about my story helps at least some people feel a little less alone. If you are currently in an abusive relationship, you CAN get out of it. I know it seems impossible and frightening but you have survived so much and you CAN survive if you have the right tools and support.”

The “Definitely, Maybe” star highlighted the work of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and linked to the organization in the post.

Breslin isn’t the first actress to speak out about domestic violence and emotional abuse this year. Anna Kendrick revealed she was mentally abused by a former romantic partner. “My body still thinks it was my fault,” Kendrick said. “Even with this specific starting point for me to walk out of this relationship and know I wasn’t crazy, it’s amazing how challenging this recovery has been.”

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