‘Abusers’ Co-Creator Tami Outterbridge Speaks Out

We’ve been covering the PR storm surrounding the new show-in-the-making Abusers, which follows an Intervention-style format of giving viewers a glimpse into the lives of domestically violent couples. We had our reservations about the exploitative nature that is sort of inherent in these types of programs (despite our love of Hoarders), and asked you for your opinion on the concept, which has yet to be picked up by a network. Little did we know, the show’s co-creator Tami Outterbridge would leave us a comment about Abusers herself! Here’s what Tami wrote on Crushable’s wall:

I’m Tami Outterbridge. Along with Show Creator, Albert Harris Jr., I’m the Co-Creator of the show “ABUSERS.” I wanted to comment on some of the concerns regarding how the topic will be handled.

The participants of the show are not being set up to be humiliated, ala shows like Jerry Springer or even Cheaters. We will not be showing a woman being dragged down the hallway, or getting pummeled by her boyfriend or husband. What we WILL be showing is family members, friends and loved ones who are honest and transparent about what’s occurring in the life of the abused person – and who care enough to ask for help. Viewers will experience the life of the abused person before and after an actual intervention that takes place to get them out of a dangerous situation.

As a survivor of domestic violence myself, I have an extreme sensitivity to how the topic of domestic and intimate violence is handled.

The fact that we are providing counseling, therapy and resources in the lives of “abusers,” as well, is huge. This is being done to break the repetitive cycle of violence.

As we talk to domestic violence organizations and workers around the country, that is one of the aspects of the show that they find the most encouraging – the fact that work is being done also in the life of the abuser.

We wanted to get people talking and caring about domestic violence and how many people are affected by it. That is beginning to happen on a large scale already.

Thanks, everyone, for chiming in.

Tami, thanks for your clearing up some of the misconceptions about the program, and we’d love to hear more from you!