Man wears camera to prove wife's domestic abuse

[pixy0stix]

Go to link for video (I can't get it to play).

www.9news.com/story/news/2015/09/20/soldier-uses-gopro-to-prove-wifes-domestic-abuse/72545676/


DUNEDIN, FLA. -- It was a low blow, captured on a man's GoPro that has led Pinellas County Deputies to put his estranged wife in jail.

"This is just one of many instances where I've had to use the camera to either prove her guilt or prove my innocence and that's the only reason I am carrying it," said Michael who recorded the attack. 10 News is protecting his identity since he is a victim of domestic violence.

In the middle of a long divorce and custody battle over twin 2-year-olds, Michael has been tying the GoPro to his belt using parachute cord to make sure each exchange with his ex is documented.

"A GoPro has such a wide angle scope on it," Michael said. "It catches everything from five feet away from the feet to the head."

In a custody exchange last Thursday, the camera shows Michael reaching into the back of the car to unbuckle one of his sons. As he is doing that you hear him scream and jerk back. Going frame by frame, in the bottom right hand corner of the video you see what appears to be the hand of 37-year-old Corinne Novak as she forcefully grabs his genitals.

"We have court coming up so hopefully it goes to show a little bit of validity to what I've been doing and what I've been saying and disapproving what she's been saying," Michael said. "It seems to be overlooked when the man is a victim of domestic violence."

[iammalcolmx]

I don't think I can watch the video but it's a damn shame he had to wear a camera.

[iammalcolmx]

Sept 21, 2015 11:04:11 GMT -5 Lucy Honeychurch said:

I feel bad for this guy, and for men who are victims of domestic abuse. There's SUCH a stigma about it for men.

Right? And about abuse period. Sexual as well.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 21, 2015 11:06:48 GMT -5 Dig Ophelia said:

And man, she did that while their kids were there, too? I hate abusers.

AND while he was wearing his camera belt. There's a pic in the news article, and it's hard to miss that he's wearing the camera.

[jillboston]

I'm guessing he also had a recording device to protect himself from false claims of DV from her. Going thru something like this in my family where the wife has said she will do *anything* to get what she wants in the divorce.

[CrazyLucky]

It's nice that they protect his identity, but name the abuser, his wife, in the link.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

My dad was abused by his first wife. I'm glad this guy is willing to speak out. The stigma is incredible.

[laurenpetro]

I hope he takes her for everything.

[bugandbibs]

Abuse victims have it so hard. The shame and guilt and what ifs. I imagine it's even more challenging for men because resources are always geared towards woman.

My heart goes out to this guy. No one should have to wear a camera to have their voice heard.

[pixy0stix]

I read the comments on the story (I know, I know), and a lot of them are saying, "I feel sorry for his kids for having such a weak dad!"

WTF? What was he supposed to do? Hit her back? I'm sure that would look really good at a custody hearing.

[phdprocrastinator]

Sept 21, 2015 11:18:27 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

It's nice that they protect his identity, but name the abuser, his wife, in the link.

Yeah, that was really weird.  Also weird: all the puns in the video story.

It must be especially hard for Michael to be public about this as he is not just a man but a military man.  I can imagine that there is even more concern about this leaking to his coworkers and the general machismo you can find in the army.

At the same time, I hope other men being abused see this story and: 1) use similar tactics to prove they are being abused; and 2) realize that if it can happen to someone in the military, it can happen to anyone.