But in 2001, researchers wanted to see if second responder programs were really working. They took 403 elderly people who had complained of domestic abuse and split the group in half. The first group received a home visit from a second responder, while the other group received a letter telling them where they could seek assistance. Depressing plot twist alert: The second responder households reported "significantly more incidents of physical abuse."
U.S. Dept. of JusticeInteresting thing about abusers who see themselves as losing power, they’re sorta dicks about it.
The reason is as simple as it is sad. Abusive people don't like getting called out on it. Being told that you're an aggressive cockwomble is less likely to change your behavior than it is to make you a secret cockwomble ... and that's somehow worse. Because many victims of abuse are heavily reliant on their abusers for care or financial support, they can't just up and leave. They have to stay with their (now even angrier) abuser. It's like watching the cavalry arrive, only for them to give your enemy a stern talking-to and then promise to come back someday and see how this whole battle thing worked out.
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