Domestic Violence Isn't Just On T.V. It's Real
I have never been the victim of domestic violence. I have never known anyone personally who has. Today, I saw someone who is going through it now.
I made a stop at our local precinct to ask a basic law question. I saw a woman probably in her early 30's and she was having a conversation with a police officer at a nearby table. She was reporting being hit by her husband recently. Apparently, she was being abused by him for a long time. I struck up a conversation with her and she was telling me he's having her followed, leaving threatening voice-mails and emails stating that he will die without her and she will die without him. Just like you see in the movies. Most times we see in the movies that things end up ok. The abuser goes to jail and the victim gets to go off and start a new life, start over.
She never reported him until today. We hear about this all the time. She even told me that she is fearing the stalking will stop once she is dead. She is afraid for her life. I told her you didn't report him before because you thought it would get worse. She said yes. I told her whether or not you report it, it always gets worse anyway. You need to report him. You need to take care of yourself.
She then got up and limped to the water fountain. Then it hit me. This is real. What she is going through is real. I felt compelled to help her. I wanted to help her. I wanted to give her my business card but didn't because this man is obviously not in his right mind. What if he tracks her calls? I have a 15 year old son at home and what if he finds where I live? So, I didn't do anything. When I was leaving, she was still sitting with the officer. I walked over and hugged her and told her she is doing the right thing by reporting him. I turned to leave and I cried all the way to my car.
I feel immense guilt right now. She has been on my mind all day. I feel like I abandoned another human being who needs help. Not sure what I could have done for her but feel guilty for not doing anything.
If you are in a domestic violence situation, get out. Do it for yourself. Do it for your kids. Do what you can to get help.
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