Karen Kilgariff

Women are more likely to be killed immediately after leaving than at any other time. Yeah. Also, it's, of course, more difficult when children are in the equation because the abuser could threaten to harm them or take them away, or the victim might not be able to provide for independent life outside of the home.

Women are more likely to be killed immediately after leaving than at any other time. Yeah. Also, it's, of course, more difficult when children are in the equation because the abuser could threaten to harm them or take them away, or the victim might not be able to provide for independent life outside of the home.

There's all that to be considered, but then at this time, when Francine was going through it, there's huge financial and social barriers making it harder for women to establish their independence. And that essentially forces the victim to become reliant on their abuser. Right.

There's all that to be considered, but then at this time, when Francine was going through it, there's huge financial and social barriers making it harder for women to establish their independence. And that essentially forces the victim to become reliant on their abuser. Right.

You're right. For example, before the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in 1974, most women can't open a credit card or get a loan in their own name. at most banks in the country without a male co-signer. And again, that restriction, that discrimination was legal until the mid 70s. That one is such a mind blower when you tell the young women of today stuff like that, where it's like,

You're right. For example, before the passage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act in 1974, most women can't open a credit card or get a loan in their own name. at most banks in the country without a male co-signer. And again, that restriction, that discrimination was legal until the mid 70s. That one is such a mind blower when you tell the young women of today stuff like that, where it's like,

I was four years old when it became legal for women to have their own credit card without their husband's name on it. Jesus. That's fucking ridiculous. That is. Also, this was a time when there are virtually no emergency resources for women experiencing domestic violence, like shelters or organizations that are geared toward the problem specifically. They basically don't exist in a meaningful way.

I was four years old when it became legal for women to have their own credit card without their husband's name on it. Jesus. That's fucking ridiculous. That is. Also, this was a time when there are virtually no emergency resources for women experiencing domestic violence, like shelters or organizations that are geared toward the problem specifically. They basically don't exist in a meaningful way.

This leaves Francine with no options, no support. Yeah. With all of that in mind, in 1971, Francine manages to successively file for divorce. Wow. And essentially, this is out of pure desperation, she has to legally separate from Mickey to access the social programs that will help keep her family housed and fed. Right. So it's basically like that's the only option, which then...

This leaves Francine with no options, no support. Yeah. With all of that in mind, in 1971, Francine manages to successively file for divorce. Wow. And essentially, this is out of pure desperation, she has to legally separate from Mickey to access the social programs that will help keep her family housed and fed. Right. So it's basically like that's the only option, which then...

What a horrible, like a puzzle to be in at that time. So it's like, oh, so if you have a piece of shit husband like this at that time and it will require you to have these social services, oh, you have to break up with him first. That's because you're... It's because it's on you what he's doing.

What a horrible, like a puzzle to be in at that time. So it's like, oh, so if you have a piece of shit husband like this at that time and it will require you to have these social services, oh, you have to break up with him first. That's because you're... It's because it's on you what he's doing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That only punishes the victim.

That only punishes the victim.

Mickey's forced to move out of the family home, but he ignores this concept of divorce at all. Francine says, quote, things were no different than before. Mickey came and went as he pleased. Yeah. Then weeks after this divorce is finalized, Mickey gets into a car accident that almost kills him. He breaks several bones. He suffers a serious head injury. He winds up in a coma.

Mickey's forced to move out of the family home, but he ignores this concept of divorce at all. Francine says, quote, things were no different than before. Mickey came and went as he pleased. Yeah. Then weeks after this divorce is finalized, Mickey gets into a car accident that almost kills him. He breaks several bones. He suffers a serious head injury. He winds up in a coma.

He spends more than a month recovering in the hospital. Francine, after years of his abuse and manipulation, has been conditioned to prioritize his needs over her own, of course, always, and also to fear his retribution if she does not do that. So she visits Mickey in the hospital. And once he's released, he just moves back into the house with her so that she can basically take care of him.

He spends more than a month recovering in the hospital. Francine, after years of his abuse and manipulation, has been conditioned to prioritize his needs over her own, of course, always, and also to fear his retribution if she does not do that. So she visits Mickey in the hospital. And once he's released, he just moves back into the house with her so that she can basically take care of him.