Domestic Violence against Women

This is probably something that never comes to mind , it just alien to me, primarily because I never saw my Dad beat my Mum or because its something that I don't see my married friends do. However, I have a total opinion change, domestic violence rate is as high as any other anomaly, I never realised this because I never met sufferers, or I just don't know the signs.

A friend told me a story this week, her neighbour got married 4 months back, the wedding was a nice gathering that celebrated love and 'hopeful' togetherness. The couple seem so happy after the wedding, they laughed at each others jokes, held and still hold hands, they appear to have all that comes with marriage filled with bliss.

My friend however noticed that they seem to argue every now and then, arguments that fade suddenly in the couples apartment, the noise just zeros out. My dear naughty friend assumed that the couples end arguments with love making, she said 'They argue then they end up 'straffing', and she smiled, I like them'

But she assumed wrongly.

A fateful morning after she heard same argument a night before, she ran into her neighbour 'the new bride' at their car park, wearing large eyeglasses and she was about commenting on the size of the shade when the lady adjusted a bit and there it was, a large scar under her eyes.

Apparently, when my friend felt her neighbour was getting 'hit', she was indeed getting 'hit' but not the 'hit' that ends in climax, this version ends in sobs.

Then it came together, my friend understood why her neighbour seems aloof all of a sudden, not wanting to say more than a brief hello, never comes out without a long sleeve shirt, why she seems to wear make-up always.

It's a 4 months marriage, most night when she should have been loved, she was being battered by a man who looked into her eyes and asked for 'togetherness'.

I really struggle hard with this scenario, I think about this couple most nights, wonder why the lady has never complained, recall that my friend won't know if the shade was not adjusted.

Am sure one of those periods I think about them, there is a likelihood that she was getting beaten yet no one knows the extent but her.

I remember seeing her once, she is indeed a beautiful lady, but the effect of abuse is like crashing a car, the beauty fades. I hope hers doesn't because she has decided to endure pains.

I pray she realises someday that an abusive husband is worse than being broke, its impoverish the soul, it breaks the mind and takes away confidence.

My heart goes out to her and those like her, I hope they find peace soonest, but finding it starts with them.