Was I wrong not to have said something

[HRTea]

At work the other day a client who I know fairly well came in for a meeting wearing sunglasses. She explained that she'd have to keep them on as she had a black eye. I asked her what had happened and she said she'd "fallen over".

Her eye looked absolutely horrendous.

I didn't say anything but all through the meeting I sat there thinking about it and wondering whether I should have said something more to her, and if so what.

What would you have done? I can't stop thinking about it and wondering if she has a violent partner. I know nothing about her personal life and wouldn't want to embarrass her or overstep the mark.

My horse gave me a shiner.

Had to eat lunch, in a pub, with an ice pack on it.

I had two black eyes from a fall recently, you were right to say nothing. It absolutely does not mean violence in the first instance

@rightsideofherstory Did you have to be so rude to the OP? Why don't you mind your business if you have nothing worthy to contribute.

Honestly, what an awful comment to make for no reason.

I’ve had 2 black eyes fairly recently.

Enthusiastic dog jumping up for a hug

Elbowed in the face during contact sport

My husband actually did give me two black eyes purely by accident. I asked him to get a box down from the top of the wardrobe, it was quite bulky with a handle at the top. I stupidly was standing right behind him, he grabbed it by the handle and swung it back not realising I was right there and a corner hit me smack on the bridge of my nose. He was mortified and really upset. It was bloody painful!

On the other hand we had a neighbour with a young baby I knew on passing. One day she had a really bad black eye and bruising to her face, she told me she had slipped on ice. A few months later she came to my door hysterical, holding her baby, looking as if she'd been in an accident. Her husband had battered her. Thankfully I was in a position to help her and she was able to safely leave him. She's now married to a lovely man.

I had a black eye when the dog head butted me.

Oh so it's rude to tell someone they should mind their business as they're thinking about minding someone else's who they don't know and only see at work? Please think before you speak.

I feel differently to some of the answers here... if there's a possibility it was caused by DV I'd rather say something, as it sounds like your gut instinct from the way she responded was that it was from that. I'd simply give my number and say if she ever needed help, I was here. Doing that, many years ago, helped one of my friends open up to me about what was going on.

I had a real shiner of a black eye once , I did it when I got up in the night to use the loo and walked straight into the door frame whilst almost asleep , the men I worked with asked me who had done it as they wanted to sort him out , just couldn't believe my true answer ! They nagged me about it for over a week ! Sometimes it really is just an accident

Well, it may be the case that she is in an abusive situation. But it may also be the case that she tripped over when completely pissed or - as another PP said - got it via some kind of sex accident or some other way that doesn't involve mistreatment but which she feels a bit embarrassed about. It's kind of you to care about her but it would be a bit intrusive, unprofessional and inappropriate to push the matter when she has politely fobbed you off.

I had a black eye from doing a tactical vom after too much tequila. Looked up as the wooden loo seat fell down and caught me on the cheekbone. I wouldn’t have happily announced this in a meeting.

I would not ask her anything, as I would if she was a friend.
Perhaps you could give her women's aid number, or a leaflet (article in a magazine?) and if you are willing to listen or support just say so