Verbal Abuse...

[Luba]

I watched an 'Oprah' show where a husband got his thirteen-old-son to videotape him abusing his wife verbally and physically while the eight-year-old was told by the abuser to watch as well. They were also told to call their Mother names. Oprah's message was to every woman who was watching the show to make a plan that very day to leave the Abuser.

This woman had been married a long time and it was amazing that she had been verbally abused for so many years and yet, as long as he didn't hit her, it was okay! Then about two years ago her started the physical abuse. Thanks to her co-worker who documented all the times the abused woman came in late, was withdrawn, or had bruises, the man got a very still sentence! The children also testified. Oprah will have the Show on next month when she speaks to the children.

My question is: Do you believe it's okay to live with a person if it's JUST verbal abuse, as the women say? Would you feel you deserved it as most abused women feel and just stay as long as you weren't hit or beaten? Would you document for someone, even if it wasn't a friend, that they were bruised or withdrawn? Would you get involved?

The statistics are frightening, one in FOUR women are abused is what Oprah said!

[TKDLady]

I personally wouldn't stay in that kind of relationship. But I have a good job, can take care of myself if I needed to. A lot of these women have low self esteem to begin with and don't have the means to live on their own. As for the documenting thing, I probably wouldn't unless I knew them well. If they confided in me I would definitely encourage them to leave, would possibly offer them a place to stay for a few days until they find the right shelter.

[PepsiChic]

verbal always leads to physical.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by GamerGal

verbal always leads to physical.

That's not true.

[PepsiChic]

Originally Posted by Duke

That's not true.

the times i have seen verbal abuse amongst people, it has gradually always lead to physical abuse. sometimes because they gain confidence as the abuser, or because they feel that verbal abuse is no longer giving them the power over people they thought they had.

[Duke]

I used to be verbally abusive to everyone and never once hit a person due to it; this is why I'm confident when I say one does not always lead to the other.

[Fireblade]

Odd you all bring this up, my grandma's aid just told me earlier this morning that her boyfriend has been beating her, she had a black eye this morning that she didn't have last friday...

[Luba]

Originally Posted by Fireblade

Odd you all bring this up, my grandma's aid just told me earlier this morning that her boyfriend has been beating her, she had a black eye this morning that she didn't have last friday...

Is she going to do anything about it? Is she going to stay with the guy or put him in jail? Such a sad, sad situation!

[Fireblade]

I dunno, my grandma said she said she's gunna leave him but she doesn't think she actually will... As it's apparently not the first time she's said it.

[Luba]

Originally Posted by Fireblade

I dunno, my grandma said she said she's gunna leave him but she doesn't think she actually will... As it's apparently not the first time she's said it.

I think sometimes these abused women don't leave because they are afraid that the abuser will come after them and kill them....never realizing that if they DON'T leave, that can happen as well!

[PepsiChic]

Originally Posted by Luba

I think sometimes these abused women don't leave because they are afraid that the abuser will come after them and kill them....never realizing that if they DON'T leave, that can happen as well!

you dont know how right you are luba.

its constant fear they will find you and hurt you or kill you once you have left them. it doesnt ever feel like it will go away, that fear.