Why do people stay in abusive marriages? Is it simply a matter of lack
of willpower or is there more to the story? It’s a difficult situation
for individuals who’ve never experienced abuse firsthand to comprehend
– why wouldn’t that person just
leave?
Do a little digging and you’ll quickly find it’s a complex
issue, an issue that often deals with many conflicting emotions. It’s
far more than a simple case of puppy-love phenomena; occasionally a person
feels the need to stay in a relationship due to a number of decisively
complex factors.
Fear of what could happen after leaving an abusive relationship is very
real. The victim may fear for their own safety, preventing them from requesting
a divorce. They may also fear for the safety of any young children involved
in the circumstances of the separation.
Believe it or not, another major contributing factor for some victims is
the belief that abusive behavior is otherwise normal. These individuals
may not realize what a normal relationship looks like, potentially having
a background of growing up in a broken home. Not recognizing these actions
as unhealthy is incredibly dangerous.
Peer and societal pressure both play an instrumental role in determining
whether an abused individual will seek official separation. If the abuser
happens to hold clout in certain social circles or other shared environments,
they potentially believe their shared friends will take the side of the abuser.
It should also be considered how reliant a victim is upon the abuser for
financial stability or a permanent residence. Making matters more complex
is any situation where either partner suffers a disability that requires
significant attention.
You have options for separation if you or a loved one are involved in an
abusive relationship. Make sure to contact an experienced attorney regarding
your case and discuss the matter confidentially.