How do these destructive relationships begin?
Why do they go on?
How do many of them end?
What can we do to prevent them?

I've got a secret. He struck out, his hand leaving an ugly silhouette of itself on her face. She knew she must have done something terribly wrong, but what?

"Don't ever touch my face!" he said as his expression changed. It became what his son would describe years later as "the Devil's face". And so, the seed of fear was planted.

From that first incident the life of a newlywed, filled with dreams and hopes, was shattered. Instead life became filled with fear and isolation, but also always, hope. Hope that things would change.

I've got a secret. For so many individuals this means "walking on eggs" all day, every day. It means waiting for the next explosion of rage - waiting for weeks, months, sometimes years - in the agony of never knowing when it will occur. But certain it will. As if sensing an impending storm - living under a black cloud waiting for it to release its fury. And it always does. Waiting until one day the fear of pain becomes the fear of death and the need to flee. But where to go? And how to get there safely?

Historically, society has not provided any support or protection for the victims of domestic abuse. The saying "You made your bed, now lie in it." comes to mind. So often the response to a plea for help is "What did you do to make him so angry?" "What did you do to bring this on?" What did you do?"

The implication is clear. The victim must some how be at fault.