Not yet, Guideme.
It's interesting though, I have been thinking about the fact that, in all likelihood, difficult child's girlfriend stabbed him. He says not, but that is typical of domestic violence victims, to deny and minimize what their abusers do.
People have seen her hit him quite a bit, even before this happened. That same day, she was "punching him in the face", according to the social worker at the day shelter, before he was stabbed.
I have had to rethink and expand my own understanding about domestic violence. I usually think of it as men abusing women. I know it can be the other way, but not often, I don't think (who knows?).
Now, my 25-year-old son's (he is 6 foot, 175 lbs) girlfriend (she is 5'8", 160 lbs) is in jail on aggravated domestic assault charges.
Evidently when she drinks, which is just about daily, I understand, she "snaps" and "goes nuts."
But, according to my son, she's not an alcoholic.
But back to your question: Don't we, as parents, minimize and deny what our difficult children do?
My son has never hit me. He has punched holes in our walls. He has yelled and screamed at me, and cussed at me.
He's not violent, I don't believe. I do feel abused by him, by his decisions, his behavior, his flagrant denial of the massive problems he has and the complete resistance to true help.
But evidently his girlfriend is violent, even if she did not stab him. She has hit him. I asked him about that, and he said the people who said that were lying.
Really?
I am hoping she stays in jail and can't get out any time soon. I am hoping, as the probable recipient of the abuse, that his account is discredited by enough people who say otherwise.
If your son is abusing you and your household, I would seek advice from law enforcement and the domestic violence experts in your community about the possible steps you can take. I would not keep on letting it happen, and hoping it will stop.
You deserve better than that.