THE EDITOR, Sir:

Partner abuse is wrong, and those who are guilty of such wrong must be made to face tough sanctions and shamed publicly.

I have been given consent by a victim of abuse to share her experience, without disclosing her identity.

She said: "My parents have never flogged, slapped, shoved, punched or yelled at me; but in a period of less than 30 seconds, I experienced the most horrifying battering on the streets of Kingston. There was never a time in my life when I recall running so fast, while he chased me to the park where I found refuge in a bus.

"This saga began over the Christmas vacation 2012 when I accepted a gift from someone that I dated for a six-month period. I was treated like a 'princess' and my 'dream gift' of a smartphone became a reality.

"Both of us talked to each other a lot during the break, but when I returned to school, I stopped accepting his phone calls during class time.

"However, I called him immediately after school.

"He was outside awaiting me for an excuse, but he rejected my explanation and consequently, I was subjected to the kind of anger and terror that forced me to drop the phone at my feet and run to find safety."

was it love?

Now she wants to know if that person acted out of love.

It is my opinion that the victim is courageous and ought to be commended for sharing her story. I also hasten to condemn the behaviour of her 'date', who attempted to use both the gift and violence as means to control her.

Women who find themselves entrapped in such circumstances must consider such rage, jealousy, cruelty and control as it is - not love.

Regardless of the price of the gift, the number of roses, apologies, and promises to change, a physical assault is reason enough to break up. Get out as quickly as you can; run fast and never return.

GLEN GEORGE WILSON

glengeorgewilsongmail.com

Springfield PO, St Elizabeth