Domestic Violence: The Victim's Story...
Veronica can't believe Dan still doesn't trust her. She took his pills. They had sex. She was relieved that he was already out of the house. She realized that he took her phone along with the keys. She remembered that she had the phone her friend had given to her stashed away in a shoe in the closet. She decided to make a call to the domestic violence counselor's hotline her friend had highlighted in a text. It was an online counselor. She calls the counselor and explains her situation. She stated that she doesn't have a car, Dan keeps her phone, and sometimes he hits her but he was a little frustrated. Veronica explains that she has been extremely nervous and finds herself shaking every morning before he wakes up. The counselor listens then asked her a few questions about her and her children's safety and If she has made any police reports. The counselor explains to her how dangerous her situation may be based on the facts she shared with her. They spend time going over a safety plan and describes briefly the power and control wheel and how the abuse cycles. Veronica insisted that she was fine and said she felt better now. The counselor shared with her some emergency assistance numbers and reviewed procedures in calling police to help in case of emergency. The counselor recommended that she stay connected to people in her support system and not to isolate because this was a sign of power and control issues that would not get better without counseling.
Discussion
What are the indicators that Veronica has battered woman's syndrome?
(Choose Veronica's next step)
