Kim and Kanye ’s Relationship: A Cause For Concern

Kanye West is currently portraying signs of marital abuse through his social media posts and actions towards Kim Kardashian and her new boyfriend Pete Davidson. Credit: flickr

A year has passed since Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West citing “irreconcilable differences” after nearly seven years of marriage. Since then, the couple’s divorce has gotten increasingly hostile, causing fans to be concerned that the Kardashian is a victim of marital abuse. 

‘Kimye’s’ divorce quickly went south last November after Kardashian began dating Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson. This led to the rapper publicly pleading for his wife back. “That ain’t no joke to me. My kids want their parents to stay together. I want…us to be together,” West said on the Drink Champs podcast.

On Dec. 10, Kardashian filed to be declared legally single and to have her maiden name restored, deciding to officially drop “West” from her legal name. This move prompted Kanye to display behaviors that the National Domestic Violence Hotline classifies as relationship abuse, such as stalking and digital abuse.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “Stalking occurs when someone watches, follows, or harasses you repeatedly, making you feel afraid or unsafe, and may occur from someone you know, a past partner, or a stranger.” Examples of stalking include: showing up at your home or workplace unannounced or uninvited, leaving unwanted items, gifts or flowers, spreading rumors about you online or in-person and waiting around at places you spend time.

Since December, West has demonstrated stalking behaviors, beginning with him purchasing a house across the street from Kardashian. According to the Daily Mail, West paid $4.5 million for an estate in Hidden Hills, near the mansion he and Kardashian previously owned together before she bought out his half of the home for $23 million in October. West reportedly paid $421,000 over the asking price for the home.

On Jan. 14, West complained in an interview that he was not allowed to enter Kim Kardashian's home to see their children. However, sources close to Kardashian explained to People Magazine that these claims are “false” and she is setting “healthy boundaries” after several “recent unannounced visits” caused issues with her family, friends and staff.

The following day, West attended his daughter Chicago's fourth-birthday party after sharing a live video claiming he wasn't given the address. The rapper went on to claim that he was being kept from his children, accusing Kardashian of “kidnap” since she allegedly did not disclose the location of the birthday party. Kardashian's lawyer denied that there were attempts to limit his time with his children.

Then, on Valentine's Day, following his split from a short-lived romance with actress Julia Fox, West sent a truckload of roses to Kardashian.

West also presented abusive behavior through Instagram. The National Domestic Violence Hotline explains that insulting or humiliating someone in their posts online, including posting unflattering photos or videos, constitutes digital abuse.

On Feb. 13, West took to Instagram, posting a firestorm of memes, photos, screenshots and comments targeting Kardashian and her boyfriend Davidson, referring to the Saturday Night Live star as "Skete."

West posted screenshots of text messages that both Kim and Pete had seemingly sent him in private. In one post, Pete appeared to tell the rapper that he would “never get in the way” of his relationship with his children. West captioned the post: “NO YOU WILL NEVER MEET MY CHILDREN,” telling his followers to “scream” at Pete if they saw him in public.

West’s social media tirade prompted an alleged text from Kardashian, where she accused him of “creating a dangerous and scary environment” and expressed her concern that somebody might hurt Pete as a result. He responded by posting a screenshot of the text telling his fans, “UPON MY WIFE’S REQUEST PLEASE NOBODY DO ANYTHING PHYSICAL TO SKETE I’M GOING TO HANDLE THE SITUATION MYSELF,” which some interpreted to be a threat.

The rapper was accused of harassing Kim as a result of his posts on Instagram. West acknowledged the accusations in a now deleted post saying “I know sharing screenshots was jarring and came off as harassing Kim. I take accountability. I’m still learning in real time. I don’t have all the answers. To be good leader is to be a good listener.”

Kardashian explained in an Instagram post the personal distress that West’s social media posts have had on her. “Divorce is difficult enough on our children and Kanye's obsession with trying to control and manipulate our situation so negatively and publicly is only causing further pain for all,” she explained. “From the beginning I have wanted nothing but a healthy and supportive co-parenting relationship because it is what is best for our children and it saddens me that Kanye continues to make it impossible every step of the way.”

As of March 3, Kim Kardashian has been able to slowly but surely distance herself from the rapper. A judge in Los Angeles granted the related star’s request to drop her married name and change her marital status, according to CNN.  She is officially single, after being married to Kanye West for almost seven years.

In court documents obtained by CNN Kim Kardasian believes that divorce would benefit Kanye. “I believe that the Court terminating our marital status will help Kanye to accept that our marital relationship is over and to move on a better path which will assist us in peacefully co-parenting our children.”