She stood no chance. He was 6'5, muscular and determined. She withered away with each punch. Like a flower with no sunlight. She was barely 5 feet tall, a beautiful small face. But today this face was smeared with blood, from the man she claims to love.
They have a child together she kept telling me. She deserved the punches he continued to give her over and over, in the middle of the road. At least that's what she thought. With each blow to the face she received, I saw her soul disappearing. How can a society accept the insult on their own people? So many people just stood around and watched the events unravel, no one willing to help.
I couldn't watch anymore. I was sick to my stomach as I watched her helplessly try to escape his grip. Screaming profanities, slapping, hitting, kicking, more screaming, and then the tears. She was helpless, and I was determined. Maybe pissed off is the word. Angry might be a better one. Sad says it too.
The police were called. I think they only listened because I was a foreigner. "Be right there" meant 15 minutes or more. The station is 1/4 a mile away. The fighting continues. I'm not sure I can hold this man off of her much longer. I'm hoping the police can.
"What is the description of the man miss?" The officer had no idea he had just drove right past the brawling couple. No one in the police car was in uniform. Is this real? He turned around and promised to speak with the couple.
Shock. Disappointment. Anger.
"I can't do anything Ms.Garst, the woman states she doesn't want to press charges"
EXCUSE ME?!?!
The officer has no knowledge of the recent Domestic Violence Protocol that was signed into law just one month ago, almost to the day. His job is to ensure the safety of the public right? Leaving the parties together isn't fulfilling his first commitment. The law requires him to make an arrest.
Lack of response. Ignorance. Ego. Distaste. He doesn't care.
He says he will offer the woman a ride home. It's all he can do. Bullshit.
I watch him get in his police cruiser. He promised me he would stop and offer the girl a ride home. Drove right past them. Never even braking.
And the cycle continues. Domestic Violence. Lack of support from police. More dead women. Men running free. A culture of violence. Progress stalled.
