Patrick Stewart has been a longtime advocate for victims of domestic violence. But at Comicpalooza 2013, audience member Heather Skye got a personal message from the actor about the topic.
During a Q&A, Skye told Stewart she was inspired and healed by a speech about violence towards women that he made to Amnesty International. She then asked him about his proudest life accomplishment outside of acting.
Stewart replied, saying that the work he does for organizations like Refuge -- which provides safe houses for women and children in the UK -- is an important part of his life because of his personal connection to the cause. Stewart went on to explain that he often witnessed his mother enduring violence at the hands of his father and how he was helpless as a child to stop it.
"I do what I do in my mother's name because I couldn't help her then. Now I can," he said.
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Stewart also works with Combat Stress, an organization that helps war veterans deal with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, because he learned his father's rage toward his mother was caused by PTSD. In 1940, Stewart said, there weren't outlets like Combat Stress for men to receive help, and they were often told to simply "pull themselves together, get out there and be a man."
When Stewart was done answering the question, he asked Skye if she was OK, knowing that she had been a victim of domestic abuse. He then gave Skye a hug and whispered to her, "You never have to go through that again, you're safe now."
Skye documented the entire experience in a Tumblr post, calling Stewart "a role model for all men."
"His embrace was so warm and genuine. It was two people, two strangers, supporting and giving love. And when we pulled away he looked straight in my eyes, like he was promising that. He told me to take care. And I will," Skye wrote.