Real stuff

[Amie]

This image is from a website titled postsecret.blogspot.com:

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Honestly.. what would you do?

[Paige]

If I were her? I have no idea. I can imagine that in her place I might feel like it is less scary to stay than to face the unknown by leaving. Where will I go? How will I take care of myself/my kids? Would he just come after me and maybe even kill me? Those feelings would be extremely hard to overcome and break free of...If I got desperate enough, I might seek out someone I thought could help me.

If I was her friend, and knew she was lying about it? I might try to get her to tell me the truth. I'd try to find her help. I'd get my husband on his case and have him arrested. I'd help her look for an attorney. I'd help her look for an abuse councilor. Thats just for starters...

[alicia]

How a woman in this situation would react is as multiple as hair colors available at Walmart. A lot of it depends on her education, socio-economic status, location, community, her religious beliefs, children, family support, self-esteem, etc. There are seminars that last at least a day or two on this subject. Nurses, police officers, teachers, social workers, hair stylists, etc. are educated on finding even the most subtle signs and symptoms and intervening quickly. Again, professionals have acute observation skills and can pick up on it very quickly and know what to do.

The most important thing to do as a friend is to provide support and encouragement during her recovery. Offer to watch the kids, have her over for dinner, go to the mall together and treat her like a human being, not a victim. She's already well-aware of it. DO NOT LABEL, be sincere, and let the professionals do their job.