The case of Dr. Mile Crawford represents a terrifying situation, which is unfortunately relatable to women in many households, even though their family life seems perfect from the outside. Poor Dorothy suffers from constant abuse of her husband, but even then, she is unable to gather her courage to leave this unhealthy relationship. She also tries to conceal the real reason behind her injuries by lying to her doctor, although he realizes that Dorothy did not get her injuries on accident.
Sadly, such cases are not created out of thin air. Domestic violence is one of the most common and serious issues that women face nowadays. This story presents a classic example of a victim who stays with her abuser and continues to endure brutal beatings. She may do this out of fear of suffering even more violence if she decides to leave her husband. Another reason may be a shame as typical abusers usually put their victims at fault. Nevertheless, the only way out of this situation is to escape and seek help from the legal system. It can be extremely difficult to reach out to someone, especially if the abuse has been going on for years. However, even speaking to someone about it is considered a small step towards a better tomorrow.
Dr. Crawford has already pointed out the true nature behind Dorothy’s injuries, and then he is facing an ethical dilemma. It is evident that his patient needs support; however, her husband is in the waiting room, expecting to take her home. From a personal standpoint, to help her would be the right thing to do. Even talking to Dorothy about her situation or giving her phone numbers of help hotlines or counseling centers may set her in the right direction towards a safe future. After all, every victim of domestic deserves a chance to recover and move on in life.