Domestic Violence; The Hidden Secret

There is a hidden secret in homes all across America that most people chose to ignore. This is my place to share my thoughts, views and occassional rants about the issue of domestic violence. It is my hope that this blog will prove to be an educational tool that will shatter the myths and misconceptions surrounding the issue, raise awareness and motivate all members of society to take a stand against violence against women.

Name:
Location: New York, United States

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

He's living his life, she can't even remember her age

I'd like to think I"m an intelligent woman and while I do believe that we do have the greatest justice system in the world, tonight it doesn't seem that way at all.

Without going into great detail, I cannot for the life of me figure out how it is even remotely right that someone beat their partner about the head multiple times with a metal object and leave them for dead on the floor. As if that isn't bad enough, even though they were arrested and charged and spent the night at the local precinct, they were released from court the following day on a very, very low bail. I'm talking a $300 bail. Sure, the case will go through court and they have a court order of protection against them, and they might, by some very slight chance spend some ridiculous amount of time like 30-60 days in jail for this but before any of this happens, and I'm not even convinced they'll have it that bad, they're free to carry on with their day to day life, business as usual. Free to enjoy themself in anyway they choose.

Their victim on the other hand, doesn't have that luxury. See the night the bad guy spent in jail, the victim spent in the hosptial having their head stapled. The morning after when the bad guy was released, the victim was still in the hospital, not able to remember what happened to them. The following day, the bad guy was driving by the victims home with their friends, the victim while now at home, couldn't even raise a fork to their mouth to feed themselves. Weekends have come and gone and the bad guy I'm sure, is out enjoying themself. Maybe the thought of having to go to court soon enters their mind, but they clearly aren't worried as they've made some pretty obnoxious phone calls to the victims family about the situation. Weekends and any other day of the week for the victim are made up of trying to walk around the house, using the restoom, showering and feeding themself all while being constantly dizzy and experiencing constant pain. Tonight the victim had to go to the hopsital because they had a siezure earlier in the day and now compares themself to a young child who has to learn to walk, eat and understand what is being said to them and form full sentences.

Tonight, when asked how old they are by the emergency room doctor, the victim could not remember.

I can't help but wonder what the batterer did tonight. I can't help but wonder if it ever entered their mind that their actions have left a previously intelligent and independent person reduced to the mental and physical capabilities of a 2 year old child.

But hey, who am I to say anything. The important thing here is that the batterer was treated correctly in court and isn't being held in jail pending the next court date unnecessarily. That's fair, right?

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