The life long toll of abuse

MEL B (pictured) was always my favourite Spice Girl and I’ve been really saddened to hear about all her difficulties since those fun, heady days of Spice World and Girl Power. The singer, 47, has spoken about abuse she alleges she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband, Stephen Belafonte, claims which he denies, calling it something she’ll live with ‘for the rest of her life’. She claims he emotionally and physically abused her during their ten-year marriage — they split in 2017 — and confessed she became ‘very good at hiding things’. She described how he would even try to control what she wore.

Abusers are experts in destroying their victims’ sense of self. But with the right support, it can be something you put behind you. It takes extraordinary strength and courage, but it is possible to rebuild your life, get back your confidence and throw off the shackles of your abuser. I can only hope Mel B gets there one day, too.