Years ago in WV, if it became known that a man was beating his wife, a certain group ofr citizens would send a message. A bundle of switches would be left at night at the front door for the man to find in the morning. It meant, “We know what you’re doing. Stop, or WE will deal with you.”....and it was well known that they would.
Believe it or not that is what the Klan did except they would burn a cross in your front yard as a warning to shape up and take care of your family and be a responsible citizen.