Hollywood Popular Artists

Aug 1st 2012, 03:00

"Teen Mom" shows all sorts of difficult issues, and the episode that aired tonight shows people dealing with domestic abuse.

Catelynn and Tyler are engaged to be married, and they're also step-siblings. No blood relations here, but Tyler's dad is married to Catelynn's mom. In the episode, Catelynn and Tyler get very upsetting news -- Tyler's dad, Butch, beat up Catelynn's mom, April.

When Catelynn talks to April to learn more, April says that she and her husband drank beers, came home, and then a fight started while April was on the phone. The fight turned physical. You can see bruises on April's body and dents in the wall where Butch smashed her head.

Catelynn is understandably frightened for her mom and says she's in a "toxic relationship." Later, Tyler comes to see April. He tells her she needs to break up with Butch and talks about how Butch was abused as a child. Many people who are abused grow up to never hurt anyone, but a fair amount still grow up to continue the cycle of abuse.

In the end, April tells Tyler that she's done. Both kids are very supportive of April's decision and are there to help her through it.

No one should be in an abusive situation. It is not okay to physically, emotionally, or psychological abuse another person. A situation can be abusive without becoming as extreme as April's situation was.

If you are in a relationship with domestic abuse, or know someone who is, you need to seek help. There are sites like Love Is Not Abuse and Love Is Respect that will help you.

Here are some helpful tips:

+ If you need help, no matter what hour or what day it is, you can always call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. You can also text "loveis" to 77054 to get help from Love Is Respect.

+ Know that abuse is NEVER your fault. Sometimes the abuser tries to accuse the victim of deserving it, but that's not true.

+ If someone you know is in an abusive relationship, try telling them you're worried and be supportive while you listen. Let them know you're there for them and help them find resources.

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