Debby Ryan opens up about abusive relationship
Disney actress Debby Ryan has become a spokesperson for a 24-hour counseling service after going public with her own experiences as a victim of an abusive relationship.
The Jessie star, 21, reveals a friendship with an unnamed male turned toxic when he became obsessed with spending every moment with Ryan and would often call her up to 40 times a day when they were apart.
Ryan even paid for a room at a hotel near her home for the friend
to remain close after he tried to move into her pad, but when he
threatened to commit suicide if she stopped spending time with him,
she knew enough was enough.
She tells People.com, "It was a couple years ago, and things were
seemingly amazing. Career-wise, they were great, and in general
life they were great. But then I was in a friendship - kind of a
working relationship - and it ended up becoming more and more
destructive, and getting emotionally and mentally abusive.
"I was like, 'I'm a powerful woman and I'm a producer'. I never
thought that this was happening to me, and it was absolutely
happening to me. It was kind of late in the game by the time I
realized that this was not healthy, that this was not a good
situation and that I was in a relationship that in nature was
abusive."
She continues, "I realized I'd done everything that I could do.
It's not my purpose to sacrifice my own happiness and sacrifice my
own mental health so that this guy doesn't overdose. I called
someone and had someone go and be with him, and I removed myself
from the situation and realized he's no longer mine to deal
with."
Ryan admits many of her other friends were surprised to learn of
the "secret" mental and emotional abuse, but now she is using her
bad experiences to help others in similar situations by fronting
the Don't Look Away campaign, which aims to provide free phone
counseling to any victims of abuse.
She continues, "We believe that everyone deserves a healthy, loving
relationship. I wanted to bring awareness (to the campaign), so I
started opening up about my personal story. I feel like I've come
out so much stronger, but it's a situation that enslaves you for a
very long time."