Given the psychology of abuse, I'd be shocked if Janay Rice didn't believe herself culpable in being assaulted. Especially given how she apologized during that cringe-worthy press conference.
Stockholm syndrome, basically.
Similar sort of identification mechanism, though obviously a much more deep and complicated bond.
Just scary.
Yeah, it's very scary. I have a friend in a relationship similar to Ray Rice and Janay Palmer's, which is why I hate when people call Janay a "gold digger." These relationships occur regardless of the man or woman's bank account.
My friend, we'll call her Ashley, is in a relationship with a guy, who we'll call Bob. Bob is a part-time professor at a school and makes very little money. Most of his money goes to medical bills. He's a abusive and controlling. After "falling for him," she also found out he is a level two sex offender. Yet, my friend Ashley stays with him. She has told me countless times that she feels shame because she sets a bad example for her young cousins. She tells me that she knows it's wrong and being with him is the worst thing for her. She also removed me on Facebook and stopped talking to me. When I asked why she did that, she told me, "because you're a reminder of how right you are and how wrong I am about the relationship and being unable to leave it...it's shame and embarrassment." Since then Ashley hasn't answered my texts.
Now, I bring this up because I think it's important to say it before some clown comes in and blames Janay Palmer here. Maybe she is a gold digger. Maybe she's in it for the money. So what? There's a stronger chance that she's just stuck in a horrible abusive relationship like so many other men and women are across the world. It's psychological and she's stuck, and it won't be hard to pull her out even if Rice is put away.
I also bring this up because this story should be about Janay Palmer, not Ray Rice. We constantly discuss the person who instigated the crime. Whether it's this or a school shooting, we spend more time talking about the perpetrator. We need to change that.
I would just hope that Janay, my good friend "Ashley," and any other person stuck in relationships like this find the strength to pull away. We only have one life to live and it's important to maximize it to the fullest.