Cameroonian broadcaster and life coach Leonard Bruce, popularly known as Mr Behyia, has urged women experiencing domestic abuse to break their silence, report their abusers and leave unsafe relationships.
Mr Behyia argued that domestic violence can become a recurring pattern, warning women not to remain in abusive relationships in the hope that their partners will eventually change.
He maintained that once a man becomes physically violent towards his partner, there is a risk of the abuse being repeated.
“Once he has beaten you one time. He will beat you again. And again. If he beats you once. Expose him & leave. Don’t hide it & hope he will change,” Nr Behyia wrote.
The broadcaster further warned that some abu$ers may appear respectable and kind in public while behaving violently or cruelly within their homes.
“He will kill you, make die, call us to cry and eat, then marry another woman who will beat your children when he beats her.
“That’s the cycle when you love demons and stay, protecting the them. We know them, folks like Pastors, Leaders, Nice Guys, Judges, people who are usually outwardly nice in Society. Some are like me…talk nice, speak on social media or society , extremely kind outside but lucifers at home. Expose them. Talk. Report…leave!!
He also appealed to parents to educate their daughters about d0mestic vi0lence and reassure them that remaining single or returning to their family home is not something they should be ashamed of.
“Parents, please educate your Daughters. Teach them that it is okay to be single and okay to go back to their Father’s House or stay in their own. Yes women make their own money. Na weti with rough man?
Addressing young men as well, Mr Behyia said people should not remain in relationships simply out of pity. He encouraged men to treat their partners with kindness, respect and protection.
“Boys too should understand that there is no need to stick with someone out of pity and it is their duty to protect their women and be nice and kind.
He also reflected on how exposure to violence within families can affect people as they grow older, particularly children who witness abusive relationships between their parents.
“Many of us out there are broken. Broken from what we saw our Father do to our Mum, or How our Mum accepted Hellish pain because of lack of economic power. They say na for my pikin dem and die living zombie lives and lies. Our world can be better.
“We can be kind, nice and more loving to each other. Empathize…care…love. Respect the one you are with.
Concluding his message, the broadcaster offered a prayer for people experiencing abuse in silence and encouraged victims to seek help, report their abusers and remove themselves from dangerous situations.
“May God protect and save whoever is hidden under this dark silence, help them escape and live in The name of Jesus. I am a Father to a Son. I am a Father to a Daughter. Please speak, report. Leave! Amen.”
