Stacey Dash has claimed that she didn't want the public to know about the physical abuse she suffered during her marriage.

The Clueless star, who is rumoured to be dating Jamie Foxx, recently filed for divorce from her husband Emmanuel Xuereb. She claims that during this marriage she had been assaulted.

In an interview with VIBE, the 43-year-old talks about another abusive relationship she had as a young girl, she said:"I didn't necessarily want it to get out, but it got out. Unfortunately, it's not the first time for me and that's something I was going to get into publicly.

"I was in a bad relationship for five years when I was a young girl with my son's father. It's a sickness. And it's also, it's about being a woman and being strong enough to leave. And sometimes you're not. It's very sad and women need to be helped, not condemned. It's not like you want to be there getting your ass beat.

"I left finally, after my son was born. My son saved my life because had I not had him, I would probably be dead. I got the courage from my son to leave and do what I had to do."

Dash added: "Once he got physical, that was it. 'Oh yeah? You're going to put your hands on me?' I don't think so, you're going to jail. You only get to do that once, that's it."