Jana Kramer speaks out about her experience with domestic violence: 'It’s a very big part of my story'

Jana Kramer is ready to tell her story, in her own words.

The One Tree Hill actress announced she is releasing a new memoir, titled The Next Chapter, which chronicles her past experiences with domestic violence.

Kramer appeared on Good Morning America this week to discuss the new book, out this fall. In a clip from the interview, which the Whine Down podcast host shared on Instagram Friday, she recalled that she was carrying many "shame messages" from her past relationships.

"That's the belief, when someone puts a hand to you — you just think that's what you deserve," she said.

Kramer was previously married to Michael Gambino, who choked her into unconsciousness outside of their Los Angeles home in 2005. He was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to six years in prison before dying by suicide in 2010.

Kramer, who is now engaged to Allan Russell and pregnant with their first child together, wrote she chose to end the book with her current relationship, in order to inspire "hope and growth," and "take people along the journey."

"I didn't think I'd ever have my happy ending," she explained.

Kramer also spoke about the abuse she suffered in the caption of the Instagram post, writing, "I haven’t spoken much on my experience with domestic violence but it’s a very big part of my story that is very deep rooted in me. Sometimes it’s easier for me to write about my experiences so I share some hard truths of my journey of DV in my new book. The next chapter is a year diary from filing for divorce to a year later… but the flashbacks are just as important to the story. I hope by sharing, it will help others know what they deserve and that they weren’t and aren’t alone in their feelings."

The country singer has spoken about her troubled first marriage before. In a 2016 interview with People, she opened up about how she would have to hide scars and bruises from her loved ones.

"He'd come home at three o'clock in the morning and pick me up out of bed, throw me onto the ground and start yelling and hitting," she said at the time.

Kramer also said that Gambino threatened her dogs and kicked her out of the house, forcing her to sleep in her car.

Kramer was most recently married to Mike Caussin, with whom she shares two children. Their relationship, which the two had been candid about on their then-shared podcast in the past, ended in 2021 after cheating allegations on Caussin's part. During the emotional aftermath, Kramer shared her journey to post divorce happiness on social media.

"This week is one year of finding out and being forced to file for divorce," she wrote in an April 2022 Instagram post. "I honestly can't believe it's been a year but damn I'm proud of myself for how far I've come and how strong I have been. Wasn't easy to do but I’m leaving the past in the past and all the feelings that have held me back today. This photo isn't tears of sadness… it's tears of joy that I'm here stronger… even though yes at times I feel sad and I have hard days but that's the joy of healing."

For anyone affected by abuse and needing support, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or if you're unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522.

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