After enduring seven months of escalating violence — including strangling, smothering and beatings with pieces of smashed furniture — an Alabama woman escaped her abusive boyfriend when a concerned neighbor offered shelter and brought her to the police.Read more here: When domestic violence erupts, what should a neighbor do?
May 25, 2008
When domestic violence erupts, what should a neighbor do?
There are many things that a neighbor could do ....but will they? Most won't, some think about it and then there are the few that will really help. If you have a neighbor that you suspect is suffering fom Domestic Violence, please take the time to read through this article. It gives suggestions for what you can do and how to help. One thing I feel that this article left out is that you can call the police if you hear the screaming. You can tell them you would rather not be identifid to the abuser, to protect yourself and your family. That way you can remain safe while still helping a battered woman become safe!
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why didn't she leave earlier, if she stays and the abuse is still happening then what she gets is on her, she can leave at anytime, why must she wait for a neighbor are anyone else to intervene
ReplyDeleteIn most cases physical abuse is the not the first type of abuse in a relationship. By the time the abuse escalates to physical the abuser has convinced the victim that they can not leave, can not get help, or won't make it on their own if they try. Most victims are also told they will be killed or that their family will be if they attempt to leave. No, a victim doesn't hae to wait until a neighbor helps them...however, a neighbor shouldn't sit and listen to the beatings night after night without offering to help. Just knowing that someone cares enough even to let a victim use the phone to call for help is enough to get that call made.
ReplyDeleteActually, this is a question so many ask that have never been through DV, and many who are in it ask themselves. Here's 2 links that may help a bit if you are truly interested: http://www.uaadv.org/Info-DV-WhyDoWeStay.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.uaadv.org/Info-DV-WhyVictimsStayOrReturn.html
In a nutshell, there's so many reasons that a victim doesn't leave. Most victims of DV have a low self esteem, lack of resources, lack of money, and are afraid to leave because of threats and not knowing what to do or where to go once gone. So many don't know that they can leave, that they can make it, because they've been told for so long that they just can't.
I agree with Mary, sometimes it's that neighbor stepping up and stepping in that could save a life. Sometimes, just knowing that a neighbor cares, that someone else doesn't think it's right, is enough for a victim to get the help that they need.