“Teen Mom” Domestic Violence: Amber Admits Battering Boyfriend Gary; Police Investigate
Amber Portwood — star of the MTV docu-soap Teen Mom — is finally admitting that she has a problem controlling her explosive temper and keeping her hands to herself after she berated and violently attacked boyfriend Gary Shirley in front of the couple’s young daughter, Leah, on Monday’s show.
Although Amber says she’d like to get “help,” when Gary begins to speak about how he would like Amber to treat him, she abruptly cuts him off, rolls her eyes and tells him that he is the reason she cannot confide in him. The volatile young mother constantly interrupts him throughout the remainder of interview and is flippantly dismissive about his feelings. It isn’t uncommon in abusive relaitionships, for the psychotic perp (ie: Amber) to blame the victim (Gary) for the abuse.
Perhaps the news that cops in Portwood’s hometown of Anderson, Indiana are now investigating her sorry self for assault after she blew her top with the cameras rolling will convince this “Teen Mom” to take her behavior more seriously.
Color us confused, but we’ve got five bucks that says Gary can do a whole heap better.
Hey Amber, we hear Chris Brown is available?
Written by Castina on September 29th, 2010 | Tagged as: MTV,Teen Mom
On September 29th 2010, Out "Cast" Amber wrote:
After Amber’s abusive “performance” and tha multitude of “Teen Mom’s” fan negative comments, I hold MTV responsible to take a proactive stance on cutting Amber from the show. Do NOT give her a spin-off show titled “Amber Gets Help”. Cut her from the present show “Teen Mom”, continue with Gary and Leah’s story and DEMAND Amber get immediate anger management counseling. MTV will cast a negative light and their stance on staying in an abusive relationship if they do not take IMMEDIATE action. I am a 37-year-old former “Teen Mom”. It is a huge disgrace and INJUSTICE if Amber is allowed to remain on “Teen Mom” without being reprimanded on some level and forced to own her negative behavior. Shame on Amber and more shame on MTV to allow her abusive behavior to continue without accountable consequence. I, too, have contacted her authorities.
On September 30th 2010, Out "Cast" Amber wrote:
It’s me again. Upon further investigation, and my timing may be off, I just read that Amber Porteood AND Gary Shirley cannot be reached for comment by Anderson officials because the coupler, along with their family, are visiting Sevierville, TN. I live in Jacksonville, FL, and guess where I just returned from vacationing three days ago? You guessed it, Sevierville, TN. Anyone who needed to and had to reach me could. I’m assuming that Amber, Gary, and Leah are vacationing together that they are still together. That is beside the point. Who cares! I can also assume that Amber is still subjecting Gary and, more importantly, Leah to emotional and physical abuse. Furthermore, an idea which I find equally insane as Amber, it is reported on an Anderson, Indiana website, available on a multitude of MTV’s websites, MTV is with the couple and Leah further filming episodes for the next season of “Teen Mom”. ABSURD and CRIMINAL!!! I want answers! Yes, this one case of abuse is apparent because it is magnified on a reality show on MTV. If this is so real, I expect big, positive results from MTV. Without Amber being held responsible for her abuse upon Gary and Amber, we are endangering an unconscionable number of teen parents and their children to come. If my comment isn’t documented for viewers to read, I will make note of it and I am committed to go further. Justice for all.
On September 30th 2010, Cathy wrote:
I agree. Amber should have serious consequences for her behavior. I also can’t understand why no one, including Gary, is intervening on Leah’s behalf. If this is “real reality” then it is sick that nothing is being done.
On September 30th 2010, Nicole wrote:
I completely agree. This girl should not be given her own show about she gets “help.” That should be done in private which will prove that she is serious about changing. My fiance and I rarely watch MTV and last night for some reason we decided to watch Teen Mom and we were absolutely appalled. I am furious with MTV for not stepping in and helping Gary when he was being assaulted, apparantly again by this crazy girl, and I am beyond furious that she did this with an infant child in the room. Great role models MTV that you are advertising young teenage moms with. I cannot even believe that there is still a show glamourizing these girls for getting pregnant irresponsibily but the fact that now it is taking an even darker road is just ridiculous. Thanks MTV! You just lost a bunch of viewership with that episode. Hope it was worth it!
On September 30th 2010, Anon wrote:
I don’t understand the negative comments. Girls are allowed to beat men. That’s just common sense.
End of story.
He deserved every bit of that beating too. Notice his condescending attitude? Proof that he’s a rapist. His mannerisms give away the fact he’s a rapist, and really at any moment he may have been gone to rape her.
All men are rapists.
Considering that Amber had to defend herself, we should be giving her an award for dealing with a larger rapist. Just more proof than women kick ass better than men. Women are the stronger sex!
On September 30th 2010, Alyssa wrote:
She is insane. I really hope that that rapist comment was a joke, and even if it was it is sick and pathetic that something as serious as domestic abuse is being poked fun at. She doesn’t deserve Leah and I honestly doubt she would be that bothered if she was taken from her. She yells and screams in front of her, attacks Gary every time he says something stupid (which all people do), and didn’t even try to visit Leah when Gary took her. She needs to lose custody and deal with some kind of consequence for the way she’s been acting. She isn’t the victim and MTV giving her a spinoff show will basically be representing her one.
On September 30th 2010, Ashley White wrote:
Seriously? Everyone who watched the show when it aired could see that Amber is abusive toward Gary for no reason. There is no doubt in my mind that Leah should be with Gary and his family. At least they will take care of her and pay attention to her! Amber would rather just stick her poor daughter in her messy crib and let her cry while she goes and takes a nap. And I agree with Alyssa, I hope those ‘rapist’ comments were a joke. If not, then please explain how on earth Gary is a rapist. (And how EVERY man is a rapist.) Because he finally had enough of putting up with Amber and her mistreating THEIR daughter? I think not! And that comment about it being self-defense, Gary never once touched Amber. He was trying to talk to her and she just blew up and got in his face. Gary had every right to take Leah out of the house. It just isn’t safe for her to be there. Amber is an unfit mother and this entire episode is proof of that! Gary is stupid for not going to the police immediately after she hit him multiple times.
On October 1st 2010, marie wrote:
amber needs to be arrested. gary, find someone else! She’s not good for you! amber is selfish and public opinion will straighten her up!
On October 1st 2010, Sheila wrote:
The only thing we know is that Gary did not hit Amber on camera. He made vague threats about calling protective services. This is not an uncommon tactic for a male abuser.
Are we sure he has never hit Amber?
The police and social services should look into the entire history of the relationship. There may be more going on than meets the eye.
On October 1st 2010, Lisa wrote:
I don’t think Amber should be on MTV, or any TV !!! Had it been the other way around, Gary hitting that low life, sorry butt of a “mother” he would be in JAIL, and kicked off the show!! Whats wrong with this pic??
So thankful the police picked it up!!! WOOHOO!!! She deserves every bit plus more of whatever she gets, inc. jail, kicked off MTV, cause she ain’t s**t for a “mother” she’s a LASY LOW LIFE that needs to get a life!! Amber……..KRAMA is going to get you good, only if it’s on TV when you get yours, would be WONDERFUL!!!!!!! SORRY EXCUSE FOR A GIRL< yes I said girl!!!
On October 2nd 2010, Gary Ewing wrote:
I wrote a letter to MTV about Amber’s Violence towards Gary and I’m glad to say the very next day MTV now has a disclaimer on the show “Teen mom” about domestic violence..
On October 2nd 2010, kara wrote:
i think that was appalling and i will no longer watch teen mom if that is going to be taking place. he does not deserve that, nobody does. she is gross and pitiful. she’s need to get help without gary or leah in the picture. she does not deserve either one of them. and i would like to agree with most everyone in else in saying that MTV does NOT need to make another show for her getting help. that is ridiculous. she needs to be taken off the show immediately! if not, then there were no true consequences for her actions which may cause for continuing abuse. something needs to be done… now.
On October 3rd 2010, AMS wrote:
I know. Is there anything else we can do to help hold MTV more accountable? I can’t believe they didn’t report to police. Thoughts?
On October 4th 2010, Brittany wrote:
i feel very sorry for Gary. i know how it feels to love someone so much that you can’t just let go, no matter what they do. granted, i’ve never been in an abusive relationship, but him staying with her is understandable. he’s always been about staying with his family. i think that in Monday’s episode, he finally stood up to her, and took the abuse like a man. he didn’t strike her back, although i probably would have, and he did the right thing, which was take Leah out of that abusive situation. he got amber scared, which is exactly what he needed to do. I thought it was kind of ironic, though, that Gary took Leah away from Amber for benig an unfit parent, and then put Leah in the front seat of his car. i thought that was kind of funny and ironic. i wish the best for Gary and Leah, and Amber too. i hope Gary finds the strength finally leave her for good, and i hope Amber gets the help she needs.
On October 4th 2010, Jr wrote:
I had to look away while the abuse was taking place. I don’t think I can watch the show if that couple stays on! I agree that gary is also abusive, they are just extremely abusive to eachother….she just happened to take it to a physical level… any kind of abuse is wrong! gary also pisses me off! he’s no man! he does clearly care for his daughter tho and I hope that he gets custody because amber is not “fit” to me a mother as she has prooved. they both need an intervention!!!!!
On October 5th 2010, Carolyn J. wrote:
Its sad to see something being shown on MTV like this. MTV is watched by millions of young viewers daily, and this company repeatedly pollutes its viewers to believe these actions are ok if done by a female. MTV should be held accountable just as much as the abusive girlfriend on the teen mom show. I get tired of the constant contradictions being aired on this program. Young people because of this show will only take the idea that physical abuse is ok if the man “takes it” and walks away. I refuse to let my children watch this program any longer physical abuse should not be tolerated in any form, especially in front of children as in the family represented in this show!
On October 5th 2010, J. Sparks wrote:
Whats wrong with women beating men? I do it all the time.
If a man does it to a woman, then it should be considered abuse! I think MTV is doing a great job I’m with you MTV keep up the good work!
On October 5th 2010, Anna wrote:
I agree J, by MTV showing this program it truly drives the point home that its ok for a woman to beat a man. Carolyn needs to lighten up and relax!
As long as he didn’t hit her back then they should show it all day to young people everywhere!
Anna
On October 5th 2010, Mathew wrote:
Whats the problem he didn’t hit a girl, so there was no abuse. If I were on that show I would have kicked his butt too, just because he looks lazy! Haha!!!
On October 5th 2010, Sharey wrote:
Is the guy still eating potato chips, and living with his mom…. Then he needs to suck it up and be a real man! Stop crying he wasn’t abused it was just a few slaps to give him some sense!
On October 5th 2010, Roger wrote:
If this had been a man that had slapped his partner only once, I repeat only once he would be buried in some prison so deep you would never hear from him again.
Why is Amber NOT in jail?
On October 6th 2010, kelsey wrote:
I think we can all agree that Amber is completely off her rocker, but everyone labeling her problem as an anger issue is severely misguided/misinformed. It can be dangerous to misdiagnose abuse. Abuse is more about power and control and less about anger. If controlling her temper were the problem meter maids who ticketed her car, police who pulled her over, delivery men who messed up her pizza order would be attacked left and right. That is not the case. She directs her violence at Gary because she genuinely think she has power and control over him. SHE SIMPLY KNOWS SHE CAN DO IT. that is very different from anger management
On October 9th 2010, Jessika wrote:
I think Amber has a serious issue. Gary seems to be very sweet and the fact that he is willing to care and provider for his daughter is outstanding!!! A lotmen, or teen fathers don’t want that responsibility. He doesn’t do anything to her, yes he is condescending at times; however, it doesn’t justify her physical abuse. He hasn’t hit her back, that says a lot as well. MTV is showing the violence, which is normal for them but they should be doing more to show that they don’t support domestic violence
On October 10th 2010, truth wrote:
He should have beaten the crap out of her! What a pu$$y!!! Than dude needs a male role model
On October 25th 2010, Uncontainable Spirit wrote:
She should be arrested. Were the situation reversed not only would he have been arrested she’s have gotten a major bump in popularity. Where is the outcry? Oh, i’m sorry…. men are second class citizens these days…