Why women stay in abusive relationships

For help creating one, check out our My Plan App. Society perpetuates a ride-or-die mindset. They feel personally responsible for their partner or their behavior. They believe that if they stick it out, things might change. There is social pressure to be in a perfect relationship.

Fear of how others will react. They share a life together. Start a conversation The best way to help a friend, family or loved one is to talk about it. What to do after a breakup: Keeping yourself safe online. Host a workshop Our workshops start life-changing conversations. Anxiety about a decline in living standards for themselves and their children Reinforcement of clergy and secular counselors of "saving" a couple's relationship at all costs, rather than the goal of stopping the violence.

Lack of support to victims by police officers and law enforcement who may treat violence as a "domestic dispute," instead of a crime where one person is physically attacking another person. Often, victims of abuse are arrested and charged by law enforcement even if they are only defending themselves against the batterer. Dissuasion by police of the victim filing charges. Some dismiss or downplay the abuse, side with the abuser, or do not take the victims account of the abuse seriously.

Reluctance by prosecutors to prosecute cases. Some may convince the abuser to please to a lesser charge, thus further endangering victims. Additionally, judges rarely impose the maximum sentence upon convicted abusers. Probation or a fine is much more common. The perpetrator often minimises, denies or blames the abuse on the victim. Victims may be ashamed or make excuses to themselves and others to cover up the abuse. Fear is constant and they live in a world of everyday terror.

By controlling access to money women are left unable to support themselves or their children. They may fear having their children taken away or, if she has an insecure immigration status, may fear being deported. Asking for help is not easy. Misunderstandings about domestic abuse often prevents professionals from knowing what to do, how to talk about it or where to direct women disclosing abuse. Femicide Census The Femicide Census: findings. Annual Report on UK Femicide s Published online.

Toggle navigation. Am I in an abusive relationship? Too many people assume that if a woman is in an abusive relationship that she is making a choice to stay and that she has the power to end the abuse if she just leaves. That blame and implicit judgment is easy to hurl.

We need to begin to understand, support and believe victims — not blame them. She may stay because she believes she has nowhere to go. She might not know how the community can support her or the local shelter might be full. She may stay because she grew up in a family where abuse was normal, making it hard to recognize when a relationship is unhealthy. She may stay because she loves him and he seems to regret the violence.

She may want to try to make the relationship work and help him to change.