A friend of mine got a restraining order for her husband. She was almost killed by him the other night.
Her husband also happens to be a friend of mine. And he has a track record of hitting anyone whenever he's in the mood. He almost got into jail once but got out because his wife didn't push through with the case. Now, it's happening again.
She said that he was asking for help on finishing a report for his job. But she insisted that it has to be him who should do it and it needs to be done thoroughly. While she was sleeping, she was kicked on her ribs so hard that she can't breathe for a while. Then she got dragged towards the stairs and he kept on banging her head to the wall.
Everything happened fast. The only girl and their youngest went to the corner crying, terrified. Husband kept on hitting wife. The third kid, Edward, rushed outside to ask for help. The eldest tried appeasing his father but he also got hit. It elevated to him almost stabbing his own father with a pointed weapon but it was fortunate that he dropped it and just punched him. Neighbors came in. Husband started choking the wife and the eldest. Thankfully, the situation got contained.
Fast forward to the next day, the wife filed a complaint. She was told that the authorities could have arrested the husband if it's still during or right after the act, not hours after. And knowing her for so long, she wouldn't get him arrested anyway. She then asked for a 15-day restraining order.
It is now an open-ended situation from there.
She could get an extension for the restraining order. Or she could file a case against her husband, which will lead to court, and might lead to his imprisonment. Prison could change the husband in a few months. Or maybe not.
She said she couldn't do it, despite everyone's plea. She's very concerned about his future. A criminal record will haunt you until you're decrepit. She also doesn't want their kids to not lose respect for their father. But I believe it was already lost the day he started hitting them.
Another scenario is more likely. He will try woo her again. She will give in. He will move back to their house. They will lead a normal life for a while. I'm afraid of what follows.
If I was nearby during the chaos, I would not have hesitated to call the police and have him nabbed. He's done it a lot of times before and I guarantee that he will do it again because she is his enabler.
But now it has to be their decision: hers and their kids -- not hers alone. Never mind that she cares more about her husband than her kids. Never mind that she doesn't care if she got hit over and over, as long as he remains "faithful." It has to be a collective decision because it's not just her life that's on the line but the kids as well.
