No one is being dismissed as a liar but you can't always take the victim's story as gospel. I was barely kicked by a horse once - didn't even know he got me. I had a bruise the size of a cantaloup. When I was punched as a teen by a strange man, I ended up with a jaw the color of blueberries. (LOL - I guess I'm thinking of fruit right now!). But if your father attacks you the way she's saying he attacked her, I'd bet my bottom dollar that there will be more signs of that abuse than a scratch. The police showed up right away - was there redness on her neck? If someone chokes you, there is redness and swelling - along with affects to the eyes. Were these observed?
I know rebellious teens who have reported their parents for abuse when the parents never laid a hand on them. The truth did come out later but not until after the parents went through <edited - LE (grief)>. I'd like to know the WHOLE story here - not just a few words from either side.
And, I know of a teen girl who's step-father wouldn't buy something she wanted. She came out of the bathroom, sat in his lap, and opened the towel. She then called protective services. The only thing that kept this man out of jail was the fact she told her friends, before hand, how she was going to get even with him.
When the Duke Lacross players were accused of rape, some of my family members wanted them put under the jail. This has now become my classic example to others to wait until you learn the WHOLE story.
I agree with you, physical abuse, as described in this story, does leave much more than a scratch on the neck. That could have been self-inflicted to give some "evidence". I'm not saying that's what happened, as I don't know.
I do know from all the bumps and bruises I've had over the years, that if I were beaten by someone using a shoe, there would be no doubt about it. Choking does leave finger shaped marks on the neck. First, as red marks, then later as black & blue ones.
Again, I don't know what actually happened. Some parents do cross the line into abuse when dicipling their children. Some parents murder their children, too. OTOH, some good parents are abused by the system, when there was no intent to abuse or "endanger" a child. Example: Child slips out of the house while Mom is on the phone. Something happens to the child. Mom gets charged with abuse.
One more time. I don't know what actually happened in this case!
However, I do know children are being taught their "rights", as society defines them. At an early age, children know how to use the "system" to get what they want or punish their parents if they don't get it.
In closing, I remember when
reasonable physical punishment for misbehavior was acceptable, in the home, in school, in public, and even on the back steps of the church. Also, remember when kids didn't run wild through the church, didn't control what Mom puts in the grocery cart, or hurl verbal abuse at teachers or any other adult who attempts to correct their behavior.
"You can't make me ........ I'll call the law!"
