Why some women stay in physically abusive relationship

Why do women stay in physically abusive relationships? This is an age old question that has been directed at most women who continue to stay on in abusive relationships.

It seems simple right? If your partner is being abusive to you, then just leave. However, it is actually not as simple as it looks.

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For a lot of women, being in a physically abusive relationship is a vicious cycle that they sometimes become addicted to.

These are some of the reasons Women stay in in Abusive Relationships.

Fear

Many people experiencing intimate partner violence realistically fear that their abusive partners’ actions will become more violent and even lethal if they attempt to leave. The abuser may have threatened to kill them or hurt their child, family member or pet if they leave.

Children

Many survivors are not sure that leaving would be the best for their children (especially if the children are not being abused directly.) Concerns may include: Will my partner win custody of the children? How will I support my kids without my partner’s income? I want my children to have two parents.

Feeling of Aloneness

 

The survivor’s friends and family may not know about the abuse, or may not support their leaving; or the survivor may have no one to turn to, since isolation is a key dynamic of intimate partner violence.

Childhood Trauma

Most abusive partners exhibit a behavioral pattern that has been described as a cycle of violence. The cycle of violence has three phases: the honeymoon phase (when everything in the relationship seems lovely), tension building, and violent incident. Many abusive partners become remorseful after inflicting violence, and promise that they will change (beginning the honeymoon phase again). This cycle makes it difficult to break free from an abusive partner.

Low Income

The survivor may not have their own source of income due to financial abuse, or may not have access to alternate housing, cash or bank accounts.

Religion

Clergy and secular counselors are often trained to see only the goal of “saving” the marriage at all costs, rather than the goal of stopping the violence.