Deciding to leave seems easy to those who are not in abusive relationships. Without the first-hand experience of living with abuse, it is difficult to understand the physical, financial and emotional barriers that can prevent women from leaving. These barriers include:
- Not knowing how to leave
- Being financial dependent on the abuser
- No room in shelters
- Unhelpful response to need for help, including family or friends minimizing the situation or from the criminal justice system
- Religious or family values
- Constantly watched by their abuser
- Fear for themselves or their children
- Commitment to their relationship—the hope that it will improve
Barriers also exist which can cause women to go back to their abuser once they leave shelter. These include:
- Ability to find employment
- Childcare
- Affordable housing
- Transportation
- Abuser has kept important papers, including birth certificates, Social Security cards, green cards, or in an effort to control his partner, has prevent her or the children from becoming documented
If you think your abuser may be monitoring your computer activities, be aware that a computer trail can be traced. Please exit this website and use a safer computer such as at a public library or community center. To quickly exit to a safe web site, click here.