A TikTok Channel Helped a Mum Realize Her Relationship with a Cage Fighter was Abusive
Mum Realizes Relationship with Cage Fighter was Abusive Through TikTok
A TikTok user and mum, Bekah Smith, discovered that her relationship with MMA fighter Karl Draper was abusive after noticing similarities between her own experiences and the crime stories she narrated on her channel. Bekah, who has been sharing crime stories with her 38.3 thousand followers since May last year, realized that she was in an abusive relationship and found the courage to speak out.
According to the Mirror, Bekah credits her TikTok account for saving her life, stating that creating videos about domestic violence gave her the confidence to confront her own situation. She met Draper in December 2020, and despite initially seeming great, the relationship quickly turned violent, with Draper isolating Bekah from her friends and family, monitoring her social media, and subjecting her to verbal and physical abuse.
During a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Draper had been in a relationship with Bekah for three years, during which she endured numerous assaults. Despite making excuses for his behavior and staying with him out of love, Bekah eventually gathered evidence of his abuse, including recordings and photographs.
After giving birth to their baby prematurely in March 2022, Bekah hoped they could focus on their child, but Draper continued to be abusive, even threatening her with violence. It was Bekah’s interest in crime and her TikTok channel that ultimately gave her the courage to leave Draper in September 2023.
Draper pleaded guilty to multiple charges of assault and coercive control and was sentenced to two years in prison with a restraining order preventing him from contacting Bekah for five years. Bekah continues to share her story on TikTok, hoping to raise awareness and prevent other women from enduring similar abuse.
If you or someone you know is at risk of domestic abuse or violence, the NHS provides resources and support to help.
