Metaphors used by abused women

Today I met with three women who had left abusive marriages.  We talked about parenting strategies.  Two of the women came from different countries, each had been married to their abusive partner for a little over 10 years and each had children.

M said "I always felt he was swinging a baseball bat aiming for my ankles, trying to bring me down."  Immediately T said, "For me it felt like he was incessantly tapping my forehead ... hard!"  And J said "I always felt like he was twisting me, twisting me." as she wrung her hands.

Wow, what rich varied physical images that these three women came up with!  I am fortunate that I have not been in an abusive relationship, physical or otherwise.

What would others say?