Every F-Ing Day Of My Family

Domestic violence has many detrimental effects on an entire family. Someone who has experienced or witnessed domestic violence is going through a process of healing both physically and emotionally from various traumas. These traumas have many effects on a person’s judgment and reasoning. The victim experiencing domestic violence may take defensive measures that may lead to gruesome acts. Without any forms of protection, women with abusive partners are forced to make a difficult choice, kill or be killed.
Wendy Maldonado murdered her husband Aaron by smashing his skull with a hammer, her 16-year son assisted in the murder using a hatchet. Wendy was in a domestic violence relationship with her husband who brutally abused her physically and emotionally. Her husband would make
constantly threaten her, promising to kill her if she left the relationship. He told her how he dreamed of being a serial killer and assassinating Wendy’s entire family. Wendy did not leave this relationship because she feared for her life. Wendy could have had alternative if she found professional help. A domestic violence counselor could have helped her create a safety plan. Developing a safety plan is helpful in the event of a violent episode or feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Creating a plan may clear any confusion caused during a crisis. Wendy could have talked to neighbors about her situation. Although the neighbors were aware of the abuse occurring in the household, she could have convinced her neighbors to provide her children a safe place to go in case an emergency occurred. Wendy should have developed a plan with her children. A plan could be as simple as calling the police and escaping to the neighbors. Regardless of the different tactics Wendy choices were very limited.
People who are exposed to domestic violence experience mental shifts that can alter their reasoning.
Wendy never imaged killing anyone, all her abuse eventually led to battered woman syndrome, a mental disorder that develops in victims of domestic violence. The first stage of battered woman syndrome is denial. Many victims refuse to believe that there is a problem. This stage is clearly shown in the documentary “Every F---ing Day of My Life,” in the beginning Wendy visits family members and does not disclose that her husband is abusing her. The next stage is guilt. During this stage the victim believes that she is responsible for the abuse. In the film, Wendy admitted that she thought the abuse was happening because she was not sexually satisfying her husband. The third stage is enlightenment. The victim no longer assumes responsibility for her spousal abusive treatment. Wendy begins to talk to her family member about the abuse, but decide to stay in the relationship hoping for change. The final stage is responsibility. Accepting the fact that the perpetrator will not stop their violent behavior. Wendy decides that she would no longer submit to the abuse and took matters into her own
hands.
Overall, Wendy was a victim of domestic violence. Her continuous beating led her to fend for herself by killing her own husband. Wendy along with her family were tormented every day of their lives. Any person in her situation would probably do the same thing. Wendy suffers of battered woman syndrome; she was taken to the woods where her husband informed her that he would murder her, this fear would definitely affect her psychological well-being. There are multiple victims in this situation. Her children are left without any parents and her own son is in jail.