Justine Skye Shares Her Domestic Violence Experience In 'Build' Music Video

Justine Skye is a survivor, and she hopes her survivor's story can help those affected by domestic violence take their power back. 

In the music video for her new single "Build" (which features Arin Ray), the 23-year-old singer-songwriter illustrated her personal experience with DV by bravely reenacting the abuse she suffered in a past relationship. During the emotional, and triggering, 5 and a half minute video, Justine and other young women endure the abuse of one man before ultimately choosing to leave him. The video ends with the women standing together, symbolic of their united fight against domestic violence.

Justine further explained her past experience with DV in an emotional Instagram post on Tuesday (October 23). "As DV Awareness month comes to an end.. the issue doesn’t just disappear," she wrote. "Recently I’ve had one of the scariest/heart breaking experiences in my life and it’s still hard for me to talk about. I felt stupid, angry, depressed.. blamed myself. Trying to figure out how someone who claimed they loved me so much could find such evil within themselves to hurt me mentally and physically." She added, "I was one of those people who would be like 'No man would ever put their hands on me! .. blah blah blah..' We all think we know what we’d do until it’s happening to you."

"Now, I’m not looking for sympathy and never thought this would be part of the story I’d be telling of my self.. unfortunately it is, but I won’t let it be what defines me," Justine continued. "I had to find the strength within myself and I’m hoping that through this video I can motivate whoever else is going through this or worse, to do the same. You are strong, you are loved and you deserve so much better."

The courageous "Know Myself" singer additionally told Billboard, "I hope that people get the message I am trying to spread, which is awareness of the situation. Standing up to [domestic violence] is extremely important. It can happen to anyone," she explained, noting that 12 million women and men are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner every year in the United States. "You [must] find the strength to remove yourself from the situation. Understand that you are important. You are valuable. Your life is valuable. Your love is valuable! You deserve so much better."

Adding, "My message is, 'Continue on your journey to love and positivity.' Something like this [experience] can make you lose so much trust in any relationship. It is hard to look at [new] people, and not think of the person that hurt you. So, [I'd say to them], 'Guard your heart. Stay strong. Don't give up on love. Do not completely cut people out. Be more aware of the signs.'" Justine also said that she hopes in sharing her experience she can "prevent this from happening to the next girl."

If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1−800−799−SAFE).

Photo: Getty Images


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