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Childhood Bullying and Domestic Violence: Is There a Connection?
Damien (not his real name) sat sullenly in the office of the licensed counselor. Recently arrested for the third time on domestic violence charges against his girlfriend, he was disgusted at his own behavior—and surprisingly puzzled and baffled at his uncontrolled impulses and where they had landed him. Frustrated, he asked the counselor one of the most common questions asked by DV defendants: “How did I get here?”
The counselor asked a question that threw Damien off guard: “Were you ever bullied as a child?”
Damien began to weep.