Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Supreme Court Says Silence Often Follows Spousal Abuse
The court discussed why people abused by spouses may not report it immediately.
It said abusers can use secrecy, isolation and fear to control victims.
These conditions can make victims stay silent.
Sometimes victims speak only later.
The court said that silence is common in these cases.
It warned that people may wrongly use the earlier silence to doubt the victim.
The court also said an abuser may attack the victim’s credibility after the abuse is disclosed.
In this way, the court said, the abuser tries to keep control.
The Supreme Court said silence is a common feature of spousal-abuse cases.
It identified secrecy, isolation and terror as methods abusers use to maintain dominance.
Victims may remain silent because of the conditions created by the abuser.
When victims eventually speak, their silence may be used in court to discredit them.
The court said perpetrators may attack a victim’s credibility when secrecy fails.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, abusers and victims of spousal abuse.
- What
- The court addressed why victims may remain silent and later face attacks on their credibility.
- Why
- The court said secrecy, isolation and terror can create silence, which may later be used to discredit victims.
- Issue
- Non-reporting of spousal abuse
- Court observation
- Silence is described as a recurring feature of such cases.
- Control methods
- Secrecy, isolation and terror
- Effect on victims
- These conditions can suppress victims’ speech.
- Courtroom problem
- A victim’s earlier silence may be used to question her credibility.
- Perpetrator response
- When secrecy fails, the perpetrator may attack the victim’s credibility.