Did anyone see it? I caught part of it, and it literally made me feel sick. I have never been in an abusive relationship, and haven't witnessed anybody else being abused. This was so disturbing to me. I only watched it for about 10 minutes - that's all I could stomach. Of course, that made me feel INCREDIBLY guilty. I could turn the channel, but I know that so many women (and yes, men) live with this every single day - and that there are so many children that witness this in their homes. It's just so horrible.

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It is... and so frustrating when you see it happening to someone you know or love and they choose to stay or go back. I chose to stay with a verbally and emotionally abusive husband for 16 yrs, no one but me could understand why.

After my divorce I volunteered for a womans center taking calls and assisting woman and their children who were in abusive relationships. I had to resign after a year, it was getting too hard for me.

I had seen the video from when (I think it was?) Diane Sawyer first interviewed her. That program went into a lot more depth. I had a pretty big reaction to it when I saw it. I was in an abusive marriage for about six years. When I saw the lady freezing, unable to move or speak while her husband was brutalizing her, it sparked a recognition in me. I knew I had been in that place.

The one thing that she said yesterday on Oprah that I think most people do not realize, is how the abuser messes up the relationship with your children. She said...they'll always tell you you're a bad mother, because they know it will tear your heart out. I heard this for years, and by the time I left my relationship, I believed it. My ex maintains control of our son, and my relationship with my son has been (I think) irreparably altered by the abuse. The lady who was on Oprah, some of her children testified AGAINST her in court because they had been so brainwashed by their father. I think that would be the worst thing, as a mother, you could go through.

I watched it for the first 10-15 minutes or so and had to turn it off. It just was absolutely heart breaking to see someone suffer like that. Did they say what happened to the husband? I hope whatever it was it was dreadfully long and painful.

It's amazing about children testifying. They try so hard to please the abuser, they spend their time and energy trying to please someone who can't be pleased. That will include testifying against their mother, whom they see as weaker, especially if she was not able to protect them. Nobody really understands the full dynamic, including counselors, unless they've been there.

But get a situation where those children are guaranteed protection, no more hurting, etc., and many will testify against the abuser. However, then the abuser acts like the hurt victim, crying (often for the first time), showing emotion, telling the kids he loves them (for the first time). It is SO hard on the kids.

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The husband got sentenced to jail for I believe it was 36 years. I'm wondering what is he going to do when he gets out!! At least she can live her life and be happy!

I am very happily amazed that he got jail time and for so long. Usually so many of these abusers never seen a day of jail time. It's just ridiculous.