> I know that sometimes a victimised person does not have the confidence or the experience to say they are being mistreated and take steps to stop it. Many cases of domestic violence don't even make it to court because the victim refuses to bring charges. I have spoken to people who thought these women (it's almost always women) were stupid, weak, or crazy -- even cynically saying "She probably likes it."

You're asking if it's good to help people how don't want to be helped. The answer is, at least in this case, yes. The reason: In abusive relationships the women who don't want help most often do not realize they need help. It's not a matter of them liking it, or just being weak. Some have lived with it so long that they think it's an ok part of life. That it's natural for a man to treat a woman this way. It's sad to think that there are women out there who think like this, but it is true. Women in these relationships have often come from homes where their fathers treated their mothers like this. Sometimes their fathers have treated them like this also.

I think it is good to be on the outside looking in because you can see what's going on in a way that the woman may never see. So, when she refuses help you have to understand that she doesn't see it as a bad thing. It's unfortunate, but true.

As for me, I would've taken action if he did do something to her. And I wouldn't have thought twice about it.

famous