It s that familiarity that makes it tolerable, as opposed to the constant fear of upheaval and leaving. Fowler cautioned against stereotyping abusers. There are batterers that come from every background, every economic level, every race. Manipulation is part of the behavior, she said. A good manipulator will put on the front that they want people to see.
Abusers also limit victims access to family, friends, work and transportation.
There s a high correlation between abuse and the need to dominate, said Peggy Evans Garland, commonwealth s attorney in Westmoreland County. The abuser keeps the victim away from other people. There is a lot of psychological control. Laws, attitudes improve A legal system that once forced victims to do most of the work is catching up. Attitudes are changing, too.