Tyrese’s Ex Wife Says Singer Was Abusive: It starts with words. Then it becomes physical.

When news broke of Mitchell’s upcoming trip to Israel, a load of negative comments swarmed her from people who may have prejudged the country. However, Mitchell being a London native who has both Trinidadian and Israeli descent, is adamant that the trip will be safe. The trip consisting of herself, daughter Shayla, Mitchell’s brother, mother and grandmother will have them visiting sites like The Mount of Olives and attending their temple for prayer.

On the abuse she experienced by Tyrese, when the two were together: 

Norma Mitchell: Yes, there was [physical and emotional abuse in my marriage]. Definitely. If you have this conversation with many women, they can tell you the exact same thing. Sometimes it’s so covert that you don’t know it’s happening until it’s happening…I will do my best to make it known that emotional violence, verbal abuse and mental abuse is something serious and it happens to many women. A lot of men are using the legal system to control women and to put them in a state of fear. A few of the things that have happened to me that I know have happened to other women is being followed and surveyed. That’s not something fun. It makes you anxious. You know, just provoking you and harassing you with emails. That overwhelms women and it puts you in a fear state.

On how the Ray Rice domestic violence situation resonated with her:

I felt so irresponsible at that moment because I wasn’t taking responsibility as a woman and using my voice to perhaps alleviate those blows. It starts with words and then it becomes physical, but the words are what linger. The physical abuse heals quickly, but the emotional keeps coming back because you’re so unsure of yourself.

During the battles in the courts with her ex-husband Tyrese, Norma recalled seeing countless women being emotionally damaged out of fear that their children may be taken away. In the interview, they also discussed how the public scrutiny of their divorce has impacted her personal life. The single mother states that all of the negative media coverage has hindered her initiative to promote her business and also skewered her dating life.

On how she addresses her daughter during these rough times:

I explain to her the reality of what media is. You just have to say, ‘The media puts a lot of stories out there. Don’t pay attention.’ I’ve talked to her about it and have educated her on other stories of people who have negative things in the media. She has an understanding that it’s like watching a movie. It’s not reality and that what we go through in our personal lives only makes us stronger.

@YouKnowItsJah

To learn more about the “Because I’m a Woman” campaign, visit YourFreeMind.org.