| A common question people have about individuals in | | | | underlying-and often unconscious-reasons domestic |
| abusive relationships is: why do they stay? A more | | | | abuse survivors give their former relationship another |
| perplexing question to bystanders looking in is: why | | | | try. |
| do they go back? And moreover, why do they go | | | | While one may certainly be aware of feelings that |
| back again and again and again? | | | | remain alive, hopes and dreams that sparkle, habits |
| It is estimated that a domestic abuse survivor will | | | | and customs of comfort, the operative motivator to |
| return to her abuser seven times before finally | | | | let their exit go is often dissatisfaction with the |
| ending the relationship for good. What draws one | | | | alternative they have in the absence of the abusive |
| back into the same abusive relationship again and | | | | relationship. |
| again? | | | | Safety Measures to Insure You Stick with Your Exit |
| Why They Return to Their Abusive Relationship | | | | Plan |
| I would venture to say that many of the reasons | | | | If you are in an abusive relationship, look to create |
| people go back to the relationship are similar to the | | | | two plans: an immediate safety exit plan and a |
| reasons why they stay in the abusive relationship, | | | | long-term plan that you can see yourself transition |
| however with some slight differences. | | | | into over time. While in the crises mode of your initial |
| In working with thousands of people over the years, | | | | exit, you can see your transition circumstances as |
| I notice that the absence of a realistic and desirable | | | | temporary. And you can then begin to visualize the |
| long-term living plan outside of the abusive | | | | more long-standing plan you can and want to |
| relationship residence is one of the number one | | | | transition into. |