Brenda Irish Heintzelman

Permission to Scream Brenda Irish Heintzelman

Betty Broderick was a battered woman long before the syndrome became widely known. She was beaten down for nearly twenty years straight as her husband physically, sexually, emotionally, spiritually, financially, and psychologically abused her. Betty was stuck in the freeze response survival instinct. She didn't know how to protect and defend herself from his abuse. And in 1989 she didn't have any help. He robbed Betty of all she held dear - her children, her home, her reputation for being a good mother, her marriage, her fair share of the marital assets, and even her china and linens too. In front of their children he called Betty a "monster" and "the beast". While feigning concern for his safety, he taunted Betty then acted shocked when she reacted in anger or in tears. While shopping for a hit-man, he told people she was crazy and would soon take her own life. He continued to push and prod Betty until finally she decided to give him what he wanted. But then just seconds before she planned to pull the trigger suddenly the gun was pointed at her abuser instead of herself. Because sometimes battered women fight back.