DUAL PERSONALITY “DR. JEKYLL
AND MR. HYDE”
Explosive behavior and moodiness, which can shift
quickly to congeniality, are typical of people who beat
their partners.
PAST BATTERING
An abuser will beat any partner if the individual is
involved with the abuser long enough for the cycle of
abuse to begin. Circumstances do not make a person
have an abusive personality.
THREATS OF VIOLENCE
This consists of any threat of physical force meant
to control the partner. Most people do not threaten
their mates, but an abuser will excuse this behavior by
claiming, “Everyone talks like that.”
BREAKING OR STRIKING OBJECTS
This behavior is used as punishment (breaking
sentimental possessions), or to terrorize the victim
into submission.
ANY FORCE DURING AN
ARGUMENT
This may involve an abuser holding down the victim,
physically restraining the victim from leaving, or
pushing or shoving. Holding someone back in order
to make demands, such as, “You will listen to me!” is
also a form of force.
In closing, there is an urgent reason why I titled this
article “When to Walk Away.” In spite of any intimate
partner’s abuse that has already occurred, the utterly
most dangerous time for a woman in a domestically
violent relationship is when she leaves. Statistics
illustrate that women who leave their abusers are at a
75% greater risk of being killed than those who stay.
Furthermore, on average, a woman attempts to leave
seven times before she actually does. So for those
who ask, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” well this is
why! Here is what you can do. There are countless
organizations dedicated to intimate partner violence.
Since our Nura readers are so vast, if you are a victim
of domestic violence (of any form!) Please call: The
National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-
SAFE
**Safety Alert**: Computer use can be monitored
and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid
your internet usage might be monitored, please call
the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-
SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
Have a question for the therapist? Submit your
questions to Nura Magazine!
For more on Janine Muhammad go to
www.CenterForStrongFamilies.org or email her at
[email protected]
NURA Magazine 51