“As I’m older, I’ve only learned to forgive it. Was it wrong? Absolutely. But it’s a family member that I love so I would definitely say no to that one. To be honest, even if my mom, I saw her kill somebody, I’m not gonna say, ‘Well, yeah, she definitely should go to jail.’ It’s just something I wouldn’t do.”
When it comes to his past legal battles and rumors about him continuing the abuse with underage girls, he denies it all.
“I think, man, abso-effing-lutely I’ve been treated unfair. Yes. I’m not, you know, this innocent guy with a halo over his head. No, I love women. Do I like to sleep with underage girls? Absolutely not. I’ve said it a million times. But do I have people trying to destroy my career? Absolutely.”
Mayo Clinic describes some signs of abuse as withdrawal from friends and family, which may explain why Kelly admits that he sleeps in his closet at home.
“I sleep well when it’s just pitch-black…. Once I get in that closet I feel like no one in the world has any idea that I am in this closet right now. And that gives me a peace of mind. I leave my phones outside of the closet, and once I get in that closet I feel like no one in the world has any idea that I am in this closet right now. And that gives me a peace of mind, to know that no one knows where I’m at right now. ‘I bet you they can’t find me here.’ So it’s that kind of thought.”
“I’ve got the front door locked, I got the back door locked, I got the room door locked, and I got the closet door locked. I’m in a door in a door in a door in a door, so I feel protected.”
Dr. Wadley sums it up like this, “What we can learn from R. Kelly is that childhood abuse/sexual trauma needs to be discussed because it happens in all of our families. The people, couples, and families who are able to successfully talk about it in a constructive manner are typically able to move beyond the hurt. No child or person should ever have to endure being sexually coerced or manipulated and it is important that they are offered patience, understanding, empathy, and prayers so that they can heal in a meaningful way. Moreover, those who perpetrate these debilitative acts should also receive support as oftentimes, they are only re-enacting what was done to them as children.”
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