About Witnesses

[AutumnMaidenDove]

Exactly, he could have felt that his father was abusing him when he was setting limitations. Obviously we'll never know. The only people who truly know what happened it Ronald Jr. and the victims. He obviously won't tell anyone what actually happened and the others can't because their lives were taken. Everything is now pure speculation.

[Victoria Principles]

That is what I cannot get past is the fact that Ronnie still lived at home at 23! If it was as abusive as Ronnie says then I would think he would have gotten out of there.

If the dad was real abusive I cant see him giving Ronnie any money and getting him a job at the dealership. I also cant see him bailing Ronnie out of all the troubles he was constantly in. I cant see him taking Ronnie to a psychiatrist if he was abusing him as Ronnie might tell on him.

You can't compare what would happen today to what was accepted in the mid 60s. The subject of child abuse wasn't covered by the media until the late 70's. The mental health professionals would not have been required to report suspected abuse as they would be today.

Abusers often will be kind to their victims and lavish them with gifts. This is not uncommon. It may make the abuser feel less guilty and the victim to feel better. It can create a cycle of dependency. The victim often doesn't have the self esteem to stand up to the abuser either. Go look into why abused wives often stay with their husbands.

[kathyM]

It is my opinion and I am sticking with it.

[AutumnMaidenDove]

Exactly Victoria, I lived in an abusive household and no one outside of the home even knew about what happened until AFTER the fact. He treated us nice around other people but behind closed doors, well that was another story.