🚨 Listen Closely. Believe Them.

Too many people overlook this. We want to believe that people are better than what they show us.

But I urge you today:
Listen—really listen—to people who empathize with abusive people.

Not just the abuser’s mama, best friend, or lawyer.
I mean anyone who consistently centers the pain, the reputation, the redemption arc of a person who has harmed others.

• The ones who say, “But they were under stress.”

• The ones who say, “We don’t know the whole story.”

• The ones who say, “We need to be forgiving.”—but never say that to the abuser. Only to the abused.

Some of them hide behind politics.
Some behind race.
Some behind money.
Some behind shared hometowns, classrooms, or pulpits.

But no matter what line they draw—
When someone reveals to you that they can understand, explain away, or justify violence and abuse…

Believe them.
Believe them.
Believe them.

They are not neutral. They are not confused. They have chosen a side.
And they are telling you who they are. THIS is who they are.

Get away. Stay away.
Do not fall for the performance.
Do not fall for who they PR themselves to be.

That image is crafted.
That mask is curated.
That compassion is conditional.

And if they are willing to extend grace to someone who harmed others without holding them accountable—
They are not safe.

🕊️ This message is for Survivors, advocates, and protectors. Your clarity is power. Trust it.

✍🏾 Tonya GJ Prince
🖤 WeSurviveAbuse.com