Recognizing the Signs of Abuse

[NNEDV]

It seems that Gwen, Celeste and Perry’s babysitter, may have been the only one who suspected the abuse at first:

“That’s a nasty bruise!” said Gwen. “What have you done to yourself?”
Celeste pulled the sleeve of her silk shirt further down her wrist.
“Tennis injury,” she said. “My doubles partner and I both went for the same shot.”
“Ow!” said Gwen. She looked up at Celeste steadily. There was silence for a moment.
“Well,” said Celeste. “As I said, the boys shouldn’t wake --”
“It might be time to find another tennis partner,” said Gwen. There was a no-nonsense edge to her voice. The one Celeste had heard her use to astonishing effect when the boys were fighting.
“Well, it was my fault too,” said Celeste.
“I bet it wasn’t.” (273)

Why do you think Gwen noticed this? What impact do you think this conversation had on Celeste, if any?

We later find out that Bonnie, who recognized the domestic violence between Perry and Celeste, experienced domestic violence in her home growing up. Do you think people that have experienced abuse are most often the ones to recognize it in others?