| Have you ever wondered why victims of abuse stay | | | | there to act as a buffer. |
| in the relationship? | | | | * You're afraid you'll be lonely. Your partner has |
| I can remember sitting in my chair watching a movie | | | | convinced you that you're unlovable and you'll be |
| about abusive relationships with tears running down | | | | alone for the rest of your life. You know your |
| my face, wondering why that woman didn't leave. | | | | partner loves you because you've been told. But you |
| But then I looked at my life and I knew. | | | | aren't looking at the way your partner treats you. |
| You don't leave because you're afraid. | | | | You've accepted empty words and assumed they |
| * You're afraid your abuser will do something to hurt | | | | mean something. Do they? |
| you worse. You've endured maybe years of pain and | | | | * You fear living away from your controlling abuser. |
| agony at the hands of this person who has | | | | This one is probably the most difficult to accept. You |
| threatened you. Perhaps the threats have been | | | | begin to fear living apart from your abuser. You begin |
| subtle "I can't live without you." Or perhaps they've | | | | to fear the open ended life you used to crave. You |
| been more intense "You'll never leave me, because I'll | | | | begin to fear that you can't accomplish your dreams |
| find you anywhere." | | | | so you accept failure, the fear of achievement holds |
| * You're afraid you can't support yourself and your | | | | you back. |
| children. You've been on your own and managed | | | | If you feel you might be experiencing fear, you |
| quite well, but your abusive partner has convinced | | | | probably are reading this and wondering what you |
| you that you can't support yourself without him or | | | | can do about it... |
| her. You've been unable to hold a job, or to keep a | | | | You have choices. You can make a different life for |
| good job in this relationship. Your abusive partner | | | | yourself. You can escape the abuse. Whether you're |
| manages, or rather doesn't manage the money, and | | | | being abused emotionally, physically, or in one of |
| you're always broke. | | | | many other ways, you do have the opportunity to |
| * You fear for your children. With child custody laws | | | | escape right now. Report your abuser and get away |
| what they are, you fear that your abusive partner | | | | from the abusive actions, distance is safety. Take |
| will get custody or liberal visitation with your children | | | | your children and get away from the abuse. There is |
| and you fear that they may be injured if you aren't | | | | help. |