Domestic Violence and Security Cameras
Domestic Violence and Security Cameras
Domestic Violence victims can resort to numerous aids to recover or recoup from their predicament. Science and technology have grown vast enough to accommodate almost any need you may think of.
In domestic violence cases whereas it is usual to approach aid agencies, voluntary institutions, the police and governmental organizations for help, it might also be of help to think out side the box, and come up with avenues more in line with the times.
Surveillance cameras have been used by the government and other public agencies for a long time now. Its use has extended to the private zone including homes, where it is employed to keep an eye on the babysitter, the young children, the elderly, a cheating spouse, and even your precious property. It really doesn't take much of a stretch of the imagination to extend its duties to include an abusive partner who may harbor harmful intentions.
A family in the throes of domestic violence consists of members who often have a lot to hide from each other. There is certainly no trust, love or any such exalted emotions, rather suspicion, assumptions, and insecurities rule.
As a victim you may probably have made plans to escape, contact a domestic violence shelter, or at least build a life of your own in the near future. If any inkling of these plans reaches the abuser, he could go berserk and wreck your plans even before they are hatched. Long before it reaches a stage where he is slapped with a restraining order for stalking you, he would have started to go through your stuff.
There is an insatiable need in him to know what you are up to, and he will leave no stone unturned to find out. He may go through your personal belongings; your computer, your papers and documents; even steal or hide your jewelry.
With a strategically placed surveillance camera you would have solid proof rather than gut wrenching doubts. You can spare yourself the stress of suspicion and act quickly to cover your tracks, and keep your precious property out of harm's way. You can even take it a step further and plant things you want him to find thus misleading him.
It would also be sensible to realize that you could be under surveillance by him as well. His intense need to know your whereabouts and actions might induce him to do to you what you are doing to him.
Stories about domestic violence reveal how the abuser has an almost pathological need to know your whereabouts. So beware and be alert. If you feel the need to rummage through his stuff, think twice. These cameras come in all sizes, and hidden within the most innocuous looking objects from books to teddy bears to clocks. So you would do well to tread carefully in this situation.
From another perspective, camera recordings have been known to actually convert people from their abusive behavior. When faced with their abusive worst on screen, men and women have been known to be taken aback by their own venom and hurtful speech. They get a good look at themselves through the eye of the camera and the truth hits home.
For perhaps the first time, they come face to face with the cruelty they mete out to their partner and children, and the gravity of the situation sinks in.
A picture can certainly speak a thousand words and may even prove effective in quelling the domestic violence at least in some cases. So if you have a recording of your abuser in full flow it might help all concerned, if you shared it with the domestic violence counselor.
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