I never for one moment growing up feared that my Father would physically harm my mother,sister,brother or myself.However,early on I realized that this comfort was not shared by all of the children in my neighborhood. It was common knowledge that one father ,who was frequently drunk, regularly abused his family physically and emotionally. There was little interference by anyone, and literally no person or institution that could offer them any respite or hope.It is easy to judge someone who is being physically abused with the simple belief that they should remove themselves from the abuser. Sounds good but it is rarely that easy.It is way beyond the time when those of us who have had the luxury of a warm safe environment to stand up for those who cower in their homes. It makes no difference whether the abuser retains a lofty corporate or government position. They must be called out and those being abused protected from further harm.