Why Survivor’s Stay: Breaking the Myths About Leaving Abuse

 

Children and Custody Concerns:

Survivor’s often stay to protect their children, fearing they might lose custody or that the abuser will harm them during unsupervised visits. 

Cultural or Religious Pressure:

In some communities, divorce or separation is stigmatized. Survivors may be pressured to stay “ for the family” or because of religious expectations.

 

SURVIVOR VOICES:

” I STAYED BECAUSE HE TOLD ME NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE ME. AND AFTER A WHILE, I STARTED TO BELIEVE THAT TOO.”        

 

  -ANONYMOUS SURVIVOR

 

WHEN I FINALLY LEFT, I HAD $12.00 IN MY WALLET AND NOWHERE TO SLEEP. BUT I HAD PEACE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS.”

 

-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR