[When the trap closes in]

Abstract

The poignant testimony of Anne L. illustrates perfectly how the spiral of an abuser's hold closes around the victim. She describes how she met Charles and how their relationship, between passionate love and hate, hope and disillusion, progressed from psychological war to beatings, resulting in absolute domination. Supported today by a specialised network, even though she has managed to leave him, many questions remain for this victim and her scars are far from healed.

Keywords: accompagnement; amour; domestic violence; emprise; fear; hold; honte; love; peur; shame; support; violence conjugale.