Barriers to Leaving
Domestic violence doesn’t always end when the victim escapes, tries to terminate the relationship, and/or seeks help. Often, abuse intensifies because the abuser feels a loss of control over the victim. In fact, leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a victim of intimate partner violence. A victim's reasons for staying with their abusers are extremely complex and, in most cases, are based on the reality that their abuser will follow through with threats; the victim may not be able to safely escape or protect those they love.