DALLAS — Domestic violence counselors and social workers say allegations against an alleged abuser and the alleged victim then attempting to walk back some of those comments is an all-too-common occurrence.
The girlfriend of NFL star Von Miller is now downplaying the domestic violence incident that led her to call 911 for help earlier this week. In a recorded call to a Dallas Police Department dispatcher on Wednesday morning, she says "my boyfriend is choking me, hitting me." The 911 operator asks if she needs a paramedic.
"I don't know. He pulled my hair out. I have like some blood on me but not like...Yeah I don't know," she said while identifying Miller as the attacker.
The arrest affidavit obtained by WFAA says that responding officers found "injuries consistent with applied pressure to the neck."
But on Thursday, in a text exchange with WFAA, Miller's girlfriend downplayed what we all heard in that 911 recording.
"We're fine. Things were blown way out of context," she said in a text exchange.
"This is actually outrageous. A verbal disagreement," she texted. "No one assaulted anyone."
Tiffany McDaniel, the chief operating officer and interim CEO of The Family Place, said it is very common for victims to walk back abuse allegations. The Family Place is a nonprofit what works with domestic violence survivors and their families.
McDaniel says fear of reprisal, public guilt and financial concerns often lead domestic violence victims to "walk back" their original allegations.
"People return because sometimes that's the only way they can provide for themselves and their families," said McDaniel. "So, particularly when you add on the added pressure of being a national figure, a sports figure, a lot of times there is a power imbalance in those relationships that's not only physical but financial as well."
"And I think lastly, what people forget sometimes, because domestic violence is so ugly, is that the victim could really still love the abuser, right? And so sometimes that is also a consideration in why people back out."
Miller has secured high profile help to fight the allegations. State Sen. Royce West confirmed to WFAA that he has been retained as counsel for the DeSoto, Texas A&M, and NFL star and is very interested in what Miller's girlfriend is alleging now.
Miller's girlfriend, on Friday, asked WFAA not to contact her again. The Buffalo Bills tell WFAA they have no further comment. The Dallas County District Attorney's office tells WFAA it has no comment either on whether a case against Miller will proceed with or without the alleged victim's cooperation.
Meanwhile, Tiffany McDaniel says it is a reminder to domestic violence victims that resources and help are always available.
"I think one of the most important things for victims to understand is they are not responsible for the choices that their abusers make," McDaniel said. "And consequently, they are not responsible for any repercussions that occur because of those choices."
She recommends that anyone with family violence concerns contact The Family Place or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-(800) 799-SAFE, or the The Texas Council on Family Violence at TCFV.org. Each organization can connect you with local help.