Benoist didnt name the alleged perpetrator, saying only that he was younger than her.
About five months into the relationship, Benoist says, things escalated to physical violence.
Benoist says she eventually fought back.
Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
I changed and Im not proud of how I changed, she said.
What I went through caused a tectonic shift in my outlook on life, she explained.
It taught me what love is and isnt.
The strength Im capable of.
The violence that I endured and, yes, even tolerated.
The lies I told, the protection I gave my abuser.
I will be healing from this for the rest of my life, and thats okay.
By sharing my story, hopefully I can empower others to seek help and extricate themselves from abusive relationships.
Everyone deserves to be loved void of violence, fear and physical harm.
Benoist ended her note with a plea for other survivors to get help.
WatchBenoists full video here.
