Halle Berry was greeted with violence at the earliest point of her life. The Academy Award-winning actress recanted the domestic violence she saw in her own home during a speech at a fundraiser in support of The Family Justice Centers in New York City. Berry spoke frankly about her childhood and how it factored into how she handled her adult relationships.

Halle said, “When I was a girl and my mother had the s–t kicked out of her, her self-esteem moved onto me.” Halle added, “I devalued myself and thought I wasn’t worth it. I chose partners that mimicked my father. It was only when I was in an abusive relationship and blood squirted on the ceiling of my apartment and I lost 80% of my hearing in my ear that I realized, I have to break the cycle.”

Berry has long been an advocate for awareness about domestic violence. At the conclusion of her speech, she encouraged women to speak up and against violence. Halle said, “I want women to stand up and break the silence and get rid of the shame and the fear and find a way to stand up for themselves.”

(Photo: Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)