'I feel so helpless': Women speak out about gaslighting amid Strictly Come Dancing scandal
Dozens of women have taken to social media to describe their experiences of “gaslighting” in a relationship, after Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh was accused of “controlling” and manipulating his ex-girlfriend.
Actress Rebecca Humphries spoke out two days after photos emerged of comedian Walsh kissing his dance partner, Katya Jones. The images were taken last week, on Humphries’ birthday..
She described how Walsh had texted her, saying he was going for "one innocent drink" with his dance partner. She called him to ask whether something inappropriate was happening.
As Humphries wrote on Twitter: “He aggressively, and repeatedly, called me a psycho / nuts / mental. As he has done countless times throughout our relationship when I’ve questioned his inappropriate, hurtful behaviour.”
She urged other women: “Believe in yourself and your instincts. It’s more than lying. It’s controlling. Tell some very close friends who, if they’re anything like my wonderful network, will swoop in and take care of the logistics and of you.
“This whole business has served to remind me that I am a strong, capable person who is now free; and no victim.”
In the wake of her claims, which Walsh has not responded to yet, women have taken to anonymous social media app Whisper to describe their own experiences of “gaslighting”. The word describes a type of controlling behaviour that sees one person manipulate another into doubting their own sanity.
It originates from the 1938 play and 1944 film Gas Light, which depicts a husband who torments his wife by dimming their gas candles and lying about it to her.
Anonymous Whisper users have posted the following:
“I was gaslighted. Psychological abuse is so much worse than physical abuse. No one can prove it. No one can help me.”
“Sometimes I don’t know if I’m being an unreasonable girlfriend or if I’m being gaslighted.”
“I’ve been gaslighted by my husband so much that I rely on my best friend to tell me what’s true or real, like [Hunger Games characters] Peeta and Katniss.”
“Even though he hits me, I often wonder if I’m the abusive one. Neither of us are perfect but I wonder if he’s gaslighting me to make me think I’m worse.”
“I have recently acknowledged that I’m a victim of gaslighting. I feel so helpless, and the worst part is that the abuser is my husband. Narcissists will destroy you!"
“Tired of being gaslighted. At work, in relationships, everywhere. My thoughts & feelings are valid.”
Their comments come after Strictly bosses confirmed that Seann Walsh will be allowed to remain on the show.
The Government made coercive control a crime in 2015, with emotional abusers now facing up to five years in prison.
