No Visible Bruises

What We Don't Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us

By: Rachel Louise Snyder

Narrated by: Rachel Louise Snyder

Length: 12 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

An award-winning journalist's intimate investigation of the true scope of domestic violence, revealing how the roots of America's most pressing social crises are buried in abuse that happens behind closed doors.  

We call it domestic violence. We call it private violence. Sometimes we call it intimate terrorism. But whatever we call it, we generally do not believe it has anything at all to do with us, despite the World Health Organization deeming it a 'global epidemic'. In America, domestic violence accounts for 15 percent of all violent crime, and yet it remains locked in silence, even as its tendrils reach unseen into so many of our most pressing national issues, from our economy to our education system, from mass shootings to mass incarceration to #MeToo. We still have not taken the true measure of this problem.  

In No Visible Bruises, journalist Rachel Louise Snyder gives context for what we don't know we're seeing. She frames this urgent and immersive account of the scale of domestic violence in our country around key stories that explode the common myths - that if things were bad enough, victims would just leave; that a violent person cannot become nonviolent; that shelter is an adequate response; and most insidiously that violence inside the home is a private matter, sealed from the public sphere and disconnected from other forms of violence.

Through the stories of victims, perpetrators, law enforcement and reform movements from across the country, Snyder explores the real roots of private violence, its far-reaching consequences for society and what it will take to truly address it.

©2019 Rachel Louise Snyder (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Not yet ready

Can’t bring myself to review this powerful book. It’s beyond review. This books needs to be read in every school, in every college, by every law enforcement officer, by every future domestic violence advocate and by every politician. This book can change the culture of violence.

Amazing

This book is a great view inside Domestic Violence and shows a lot of the ways the system is lacking on providing help, support, and care for all victims. It give me a lot of great program ideas. I was in a Domestic Violence relationship and it gave me a lot of ideas on things that I would like to implement in my area for survivors and offenders a like. I have also had a few ideas of things to implement for children of Domestic Violence thanks to the need in my area and the book. I am currently working to become a advocate for victims and survivors a like.

Missed the Mark

This book is basically a long repetitive chronicle of various, albeit significant, high-violence domestic homicides, police responses and victim and perpetrator resources (or lack thereof). The various names and crimes circle in and out of various parts of the book to the point of confusion. "No Visible Bruises" is hardly an apt title for the recounting of extremely physical and bloody crimes. There's just not enough who, what, where, when and why in this narrative. No solutions. As a survivor myself I strongly believe adolescent girls at middle school age need to be versed and educated on what a future abuser looks like in those early stages and how easy it is to be reeled in to a situation that is hard to get out of. How what appears to be a dream partner is a long term trap that devolves so slowly, the victim barely notices the change.. Parents need to be taught how to speak to their young daughters on the topic too. Educating our girls is prevention. Awareness is so lacking in today's culture. We need to be addressing middle school and high school girls now. As for the perpetrators, friends, family and neighbors turning a blind eye is step one. A violent man needs someone in his face at first incident. In looking back at my own struggle I fantasize about having some biker dudes protecting me. See if a violent man can get beyond those dudes. Something to ponder.

Compelling

The author reads aloud her own work with emphasis and expression in places she intends it to be. The effect is natural and conversational. The content is well researched and quite compelling- no matter how much you think you know on this topic, you’ll learn things that will topple old ideas. I truly enjoyed this selection even though the subject is painful; I recommend that everyone read or listen- particularly women and law enforcement.

Required Reading

This is an important book. It was an extremely difficult book to finish; finding myself crying through many chapters yet now understanding so much more about the victims and their abusers. To those who are helping to break the cycle of abuse I celebrate your strength.

Critically important information

The narration style was fast and clipped and took time to adjust to, but I soon forgot about it as I became caught up in the narrative. This is a well-researched, compellingly written book about an epidemic that remains largely hidden behind closed doors. It is critical that we learn about domestic violence if we are going to take steps to eradicate it.

Helps me explain why it too so long to leave!

This book is helping me to leave my emotionally abusive boyfriend. He never had to lay a hand on me, he could control me with a look. It’s only been a week. Hopefully this time it will stick. Pray for me. Please.

Utterly Devastating & Critically Important

This is not an easy book to read or to listen to. It is, however, extremely well written & perfectly narrated. I would give this book 10 stars if I could. My hope is that the information in this book will be a catalyst for widespread change in the way domestic violence is addressed in this country.

Stunning work

I grew up in a home with domestic violence and Ms. Snyder captures the struggle that victims and families face every day. She frames questions in unique and interesting ways. I found myself riveted by her careful storytelling, and compelled at the end to help in some way with domestic terrorism in my community. I am so glad I listened to this book.

Amazing

I love this book. Thank you to Rachel for teaching me so much about domestic violence through No Visible Bruises. Domestic violence is a huge problem and this book explains ways in which we can hold abusers accountable and prevent future homicides. It is time that we start focusing on holding abusers responsible for their behaviors instead of only supporting the people they hurt. I recommend this to anyone and everyone, especially men.