Brooke Axtell, a survivor of human trafficking and domestic abuse, delivered a moving speech at the Grammy Awards that shed light on the mindset of many women who find themselves in an abusive relationship. It also inadvertently exposed the pathology of “Fifty Shades of Grey,” E.L. James’ bestselling series that involves a woman enduring sadomasochism because she wants to redeem the man she loves.

“After a year of passionate romance with a handsome, charismatic man, I was stunned when he began to abuse me,” Axtell said. “I believed he was lashing out because he was in pain and needed help. I believed my compassion could restore him and our relationship. My empathy was used against me. I was terrified of him and ashamed I was in this position. What bound me to him was my desire to heal him. My compassion was incomplete because it did not include me.”

Axtell endured pain and suffering because she wanted to redeem the handsome man she had fallen in love with. The same is true of Anastasia Steele, the young virgin who falls for the deviant and dashing Christian Grey and his obsession with sadomasochism.

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