By Patricia Uyeh,

More and more Nigerian celebrities are condemning the social menace of domestic violence. The latest being veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, who advised women and men who find themselves in domestic violence situations to walk away.

Joke, who spoke with The Daily Times, says she is happy that the topic of domestic violence is gaining more popularity.

She said:

“I’m very happy more women are coming out to talk about it. It is important. Once the violence starts, give yourself space! I think it is the most spirit destroying action one can put on their lover. And it doesn’t only happen to women. It happens to men as well. I think it is sad that any relationship gets to that point where you need to break the spirit.”

According to the veteran actress, emotional violence is more dangerous than physical violence even though the point of provocation can’t be ignored.

She added :

“I think in relationships especially when we are angry with each other, I think lovers go for the jugular when they are angry. I know I do. (Laughs). I think it’s important to understand when you are getting to that point where you understand that you’ve gotten to the thresh hold. Like sometimes when I counsel young people, I say there is a role that you recognize, that if I push anything further, we’re going to be in trouble. When you hear that, when you feel it, it’s in the eyes, you can’t hide it. Each person, waka! There is also the violence that people don’t associate to domestic violence and that is the emotional violence. Emotional violence is the violence that is so deadly because you don’t see it. It damages the person psychologically; I think the onus is on those who love the person. To let them see it and be aware of it. Marriage is not do or die affair,”

Photo credit : Instagram @ajokesilva