Lydia Hearst has released a statement standing by her husband Chris Hardwick following allegations of “long-term abuse” from his ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra.

“This is not a statement in defense, this is a statement of defense,” Hearst told People magazine on Thursday. “Defense for all the women who have been sexually abused, raped, trafficked, and tortured; defense of all the people who this movement was started for. Over the last year the #MeToo movement has rightly aimed a spotlight directly on women whose stories needed to be told. As someone who has been involved in toxic relationships in the past, I know first hand the importance of sharing these stories and do not take this situation lightly. “

Dykstra, an actress and host, shared an essay on Medium last week in which she accused a former boyfriend of emotional manipulation, controlling behavior and pressuring her into having sex with him throughout their three-year relationship.