Jasmine V Opens Up About Domestic Abuse

Jasmine V's video for 'Didn't Mean It' is jarring since it is a realistic and often difficult-to-watch depiction of domestic violence in which the singer is slapped and dragged around a room by her boyfriend. It's like a PSA for abuse issues. Turns out Jasmine V has firsthand experience with this prevalent social issue, since she was in an abusive relationship for a year.

"What he 'didn't mean' was all the times he put me down, all the verbal and emotional abuse," Jasmine told MTV about the song. "It's all the negative things he said and did including the times he physically abused me."

The singer found the courage to exit the relationship via her faith, providing that things can and will get better, and that there is hope.

"What gave me the courage to leave was honestly God," she said. "It got to the point where my self-esteem was so low that I actually started believing it was my fault and that I deserved it. In my weakest moment, God me sent an angel who put a stop to everything. In one of our more severe fights, there was a random stranger outside the house who heard the fighting and called the police. When the cops came, I knew it was probably going to be my only escape. That's when I broke down and realized how dangerous my situation was and I got the strength to walk away from the relationship and never look back."

Jasmine's video isn't the only source of support and/or or comfort for those in similar situations. Her advice is simple. "If you are in or know someone that's in an abusive relationship it never gets better," she said. "I tried to believe that things would change for the better but it only got worse."

She continued, "My advice would be to go to organizations like Love Is Respect and research online how you can get help. There's also a hotline number you can call 24 hrs a day 1-866-331-9474 to speak to someone who can help you. You can also text 'loveis' to 77054. Overall just remember that you have to take action and get out! You can't ignore the situation, it will not go away."

Watch the Jasmine V 'Didn't Mean It' Video