What if you met the man of your dreams one day in a park? He is attractive, successful, and best of all, he loves your sister and understands her special needs. But how well do you know him?
Grace and Jack seem to be the perfect couple. They live in a beautiful home, entertain their friends, and travel to Thailand often on holiday. However, what is life really like inside those four walls? Why are their bars on the windows? How is it that Grace can remain so slim?
What do we really know about our friends and acquaintances and the life they lead in the privacy of their own homes? Are they happy, or are they the victims of emotional, physical, or verbal abuse?
This books brings an important topic to the forefront. How many of our sisters and brothers are subject to abuse? Was it so subtle at first that they didn't realize what was happening, and suddenly they were in too deep to get out? Was their boyfriend or girlfriend so concerned about them that they checked on their location several times a day? Was that "concern" really controlling behavior and an effort to physically and mentally manage them?
I have seen several instances of abuse throughout my life. I have suspected at least one of my friends was the victim of physical abuse. When I tried to broach the subject, she retreated, I believe, because she was fearful of the outcome if she spoke out against her husband.
I have known several women who have been the victim of emotional and verbal abuse. They are made to believe that if they had only done a better job of being a wife, or had made a better effort at making their husband happy, then they wouldn't deserve the punishment they received.
Abuse is insidious, and Grace was the victim. If you too are a victim, there is help available. Get out of the relationship and get the help you need. Be aware of the signs that signal a potentially abusive relationship.
If you suspect that someone is a victim of abuse, reach out. Yes, my friend did retreat from me because she knew that what I suspected was true, but she eventually found the strength to leave her husband. It wasn't easy, and she and her children struggled for several years, but she did get back on her feet. She did find the strength to stay away from him and create a new life for her and her children.
There are people and agencies who care and will help.
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