I am reposting this is to remind everyone how domestic violence can go different ways. It isn’t always a man being abusive to a woman.

I was sitting on my blanket at the beach when I noticed a man and woman in the water yelling at one another. I heard the F Bomb a few times and a lot of ugly accusations coming from her. When he tried to walk away, she slapped him, threw sand at him, and hurled a stick in his direction. He didn’t fight back and kept walking away from her while she followed him shouting insults at him. This went on for a few minutes until a man who was there with his family called 911. Park authorities soon came and spoke with both parties. One of the officers asked if I saw the altercation and I said yes. I described the situation and said she was the aggressor. The officer let me know she is bipolar, she is off her medication, and has anger issues. Shortly afterward, the couple left. I went and talked to the man who I saw making the phone call and let him know what the officer said. Each of us had wanted to say something hoping to deflect the situation, but were afraid how they would react. I also factored in that we were at the beach and I was wearing a bathing suit and no shoes. And in this day and age, you don’t know if somebody has a knife or gun they could pull on you. If she had come after me, I would have been defenseless. The whole thing got me thinking because that is no way to act or conduct a relationship. It made me grateful that I am not in their situation. If anyone reading this is bipolar, please take your medication accordingly. If it isn’t working or has negative side effects, consult with your doctor. And if any of you are in an abusive relationship, or know someone who is, the number for the Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.