She grew up watching her mother suffer...

This Is The Devastating Reason Halle Berry Is A Domestic Abuse Activist

Halle Berry has worked alongside non-profit organizations that help domestic violence survivors. The reason behind her decision to support victims is connected to what she experienced when she was little. Get the full story here...

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Halle Berry is not only a very talented actress but also an activist. The 53-year-old actress has helped numerous causes over the past few years, especially those related to domestic violence.

Halle Berry does not only attend Hollywood events but also fundraisers which focus on helping victims and survivors of domestic violence. Why exactly? The reason behind her support is quite devastating.

Halle Berry recalls seeing her mother suffer from domestic violence

According to Cheatsheet, domestic abuse for Halle Berry was unfortunately something she witnessed herself when she was younger. The Gothika star revealed she grew up watching her mother "battered, beaten, hit with wine bottles and kicked down the stairs" at the hands of her father.

Halle Berry said it was so heartbreaking seeing how her mother tried to be a strong woman in front of her kids, that she decided she would eventually do something about it, "I felt helpless," she added.

Halle Berry was a victim of domestic violence

During an interview with People magazine in the mid 1990's, Halle Berry opened up about an ex-boyfriend who caused her to lose 80% of her hearing after being physically violent towards her. She said he was "someone well-known in Hollywood."

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Halle Berry's experiences with domestic abuse did not only encourage her to help other victims, but also shaped her self-image as an adult. "Before I’m Halle Berry, I’m little Halle, who was a little girl growing in this environment that damaged me in some ways. And I’ve spent my adult life trying to really heal from that," she said.

Halle Berry has supported stars whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse

Halle Berry has also supported other celebrities. In 2009 she spoke in support of Rihanna, who was physically abused by her former boyfriend, rapper Chris Brown, but able to get the help she needed. "Any time a woman frees herself from that kind of bondage and that kind of situation, I’m proud," said Halle.

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For many years Halle Berry has worked with the Jenesse Center, the oldest non-profit domestic violence intervention program in South Los Angeles, which according to its website, was "founded in 1980 by five African American women."