In a TikTok video posted Tuesday, Dec. 30, the reality star began with a trigger warning before opening up about an allegedly abusive relationship from her past. She explained that she has recently been tagged in many videos about domestic violence and sexual assault, noting that advocacy for survivors is deeply personal for her.
Mayci emphasized that no two survivors’ experiences are the same and warned against comparing one person’s trauma to another’s. She then addressed a question many victims face: why they stay or return to abusive relationships.
According to Mayci, fear and manipulation played a major role. She said her alleged abuser threatened to get her kicked out of her university by reporting her for drinking alcohol, which would have violated strict honor codes. She described this as a form of blackmail that left her feeling trapped.
She also referenced what is often called Stockholm syndrome, explaining that emotional bonds can form between victims and abusers over time. Mayci described a cycle common in abusive relationships, where periods of kindness are followed by abuse, making it difficult to recognize how dangerous the situation has become.
Other factors she mentioned included isolation, financial control, and low self-esteem. She said many victims stay because they feel they have no other options.
Mayci shared that the abuse deeply affected her mental health and sense of self. She explained that her personality changed and that she became someone she no longer recognized. Looking back, she said she once believed leaving an abusive relationship would be easy, but living through it showed her how complex and painful the reality can be.
She also spoke about the added difficulty of filming a reality show while pregnant and dealing with trauma at the same time. Mayci revealed that she has not yet been able to fully share her story of domestic violence and sexual assault on television.
Now married to her husband Jacob and preparing to welcome a child, Mayci says she is in a different place in her life. She has detailed her experiences in her upcoming memoir, Told You So, which is set to be published on Oct. 7 and is currently available for preorder.
She ended her message with words of support for others who may be struggling. Mayci told survivors that she sees them, hears them, and stands with them, reminding them they are not alone.
Tags:
News
