Behind Closed Doors

An in-depth examination of domestic violence from a very personal perspective. It focuses on David, an abuser, and Margaret, a victim, who each discuss their difficult childhoods, their low self esteem, their feelings of shame, and their determination to break the patterns of violence that have governed their lives. David was so severely abused by his father that he was hospitalized. Removed from his
family, he entered a group home only to be subject to more violent behavior. As he tells his story,
psychologists explain how such experience affects subsequent behavior. When he finally lived on his own, he briefly turned to crime and habitually abused women. Eventually marrying, his violent behavior continued until he almost killed his wife. Upon arrest, he was obliged to take an "anger management program." It was this program that helped rehabilitate him to the point where he could marry again and lead a normal family life. Margaret's story is also one of childhood trauma, and an
abusive marriage which almost killed her. A battered woman's program and counseling helped her
to escape and learn to live on her own. The scars are very deep, but she is able to enjoy a life free from fear.