Silence and the Cycle of Abuse

Vera's father and mother both take the stance that silence is the best option when it comes to the abuse Charlie's mother is facing at the hands of her husband. Despite the fact that they're well aware of what's going on, they refuse to talk about it or make any effort to help. They suggest Vera just stay out of it.

Vera's parents both know that what's happening is wrong, but they won't do anything about it. They think that Charlie's mother doesn't want help, and if she did, she would seek it. But the truth of the matter is that victims of abuse rarely speak out against their attackers. Sometimes it takes someone else to stand up and say something. Her parents' silence just adds to the cycle of abuse.

The sad thing is that Vera's parents' choices (while fictional) are very real choices made by people everyday. Sometimes abuse goes unnoticed, but many times it doesn't. Even if it does, people rarely speak up.