Mel B is to be awarded an honorary doctorate for her work with ­survivors of domestic abuse – after she opened up about her own experience

Mel B is set to be awarded an honorary doctorate for her work with survivors of domestic abuse. 

The Spice Girl, 49, has opened up in recent years about the ‘abuse’ she suffered while married to her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.

As the patron of charity Women’s Aid following fleeing her marriage to Stephen, Mel B has worked tirelessly to help raise awareness.

And she is now to be awarded an honorary doctorate by Leeds Beckett University for her efforts.

Speaking to the Sun, Mel B said that the doctorate is a ‘incredible honour’ but she wanted to earn something too, so has been studying towards a qualification in trauma care.

The Spice Girl, 49, has opened up in recent years about the ‘abuse’ she suffered while married to her ex-husband Stephen Belafonte

‘I always understood abuse on an emotional level and could speak from the heart, but now I have the theory, knowledge and terminology,’ Mel B said. ‘I want to do more.’ 

The pop star is hoping some of her bandmates will attend the ceremony. 

The Spice Girl has revealed that five years after leaving Stephen, she still suffers from panic attacks and PTSD, and had previously tried to end her marriage six or seven times.

Speaking on Loose Women, Mel made an appearance on the show during their Facing It Together campaign, which aims to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

Mel B and American Stephen were married from 2007 to 2017 and share daughter Madison, 12, together.

Over the years, Mel B has accused him of physical, emotional, and financial abuse, claims he denies.

Mel told the panel that she was reluctant to leave Stephen as she had completely ostracised herself from her family. 

She said: ‘Even though I was in my marriage for ten years I tried to leave six or seven times. I went back due to fear or blackmail.

The Spice Girl revealed that five years after leaving Stephen, she still suffers from panic attacks and PTSD, and had previously tried to end her marriage six or seven times

Discussing the aftermath of her divorce, she added: ‘I’m seven years out and I still have PTSD and panic attacks because I don’t trust myself’

‘You think ”what am i going to do if I leave, I haven’t spoken to my mum in weeks, then its month, then years.” It happens so gradually.’ 

‘You feel like you’re doing everything wrong and they encourage that feeling. I went from living in a mansion in LA to my mum’s bungalow with my kids.’

Mel also appeared on the show to discuss the release of a revised version of her autobiography Brutally Honest.

She said: ‘Writing the book was cathartic. But it was a taboo topic in 2018 and no publisher wanted it.’

Mel previously said the millions she made as part of the Spice Girls had dwindled down to just a few hundred after she walked away from her marriage to Stephen in 2018

Discussing the aftermath of her divorce, she added: ‘I’m seven years out and I still have PTSD and panic attacks because I don’t trust myself.

‘H how could I when I thought that person loved me. I’m all about girl power but I was powerless.’

‘I had lots of head tapping things to ease the trauma because I didn’t want to talk about it.’