Yes. And they still want your love, approval and aceptance. I mean, if your were to do the same to them, they would complain. Or if you release your hand and hit them instead, then they would ask that “why did you do that?”. As if it wasn’t clear why.

They know what they are doing, they know it hurts, but want people to remain quiet, so they can keep their peace of mind. That is why when people speak up, they accuse them of “breaking the peace”, when, in fact, the only ones that have peace were they. And you weren’t at peace before.

They have made a choice, they just don’t want to face consequences of that choice: that people they have hurt walk away, stop loving them, stop approving and stop accepting them. And to be called of. But that is their problem, not yours.