HOW DOES THE ABUSED WOMAN FEEL?
A woman who has been abused over a long period of time is afraid. Not only is she afraid that she, herself, will be seriously hurt, but if she has children, she fears for their safety also. Her feelings of fear link her to all other women, from all classes of society, in similar situations. Fear might be a woman s first and most immediate feeling during or after a beating, but other negative feelings may surface when she is not in physical danger. The abused woman is apt t develop doubts about herself. She might wonder if she is justified in fearing for her life and calling herself an abused wife. Most likely, however, a woman who thinks or feels she is being abused, probably is. Or, she may feel guilty, even though she s done nothing wrong. An abused wife may feel responsible for her husband s violence because in some way she may have provoked him. This has her placing the shame and blame on herself–instead of her abuser. The longer she puts up with the abuse and does nothing to avoi
