"Nothing to Report" by Ari Kuhns

Ari Kuhns (they/them) is a stage manager and barista who is writing accessible poetry for the general population. Their focus is on telling stories that promote inclusivity and joy in the world. Topics they lean toward include representation of domestic abuse, mental health, and the queer community. Their hobbies include singing, cross-stitch and embroidery, and baking. Currently, they have a one-year Duolingo streak studying French.

In 2019, thirty-seven Oklahomans were killed by an intimate partner. Thirty of them were shot.

Oklahoma is ranked third in the US in terms of women being killed by male partners.

It is estimated that approximately seventy percent of domestic abuse survivors experienced abuse beyond physical or emotional.

This type of abuse is known as coercive control– a way of keeping a captive in a glass cage.

No federal legislation exists to prevent this.

Isolating:

You’re always on your phone. You never spend time with me.

Denying basic needs:

Are you sure you need to eat that? I thought you were trying to lose weight.

Monitoring:

You were supposed to be home ten minutes ago. Where were you?

Interrogating:

Who are you talking to? Why are you talking to them? About what?

Financial control:

Just Venmo it to me, I’ll put it in the bank account.

Humiliation:

Do you remember when you– god, that was so funny. You looked like an idiot.

Threats of violence:

I don’t want to hurt you, but if you can’t get it together, I will.

Future threats:

No one is going to want you. I’m all you have.

Damaging property:

It fell. It was an accident. You weren’t using it anyway.

Scheduling:

Skip class and stay home with me. Pick up more shifts at work. Don’t go out tonight.

Gaslighting:

I love you.

Oklahoma mandates reporting laws for teachers and other professionals working with at-risk populations.

But what is there to report if there is no crime?