Abuse in relationships has significantly increased in different societies over time, resulting in injuries and deaths. Michaels (2016) explains that an individual makes seven attempts before they finally leave abusive partners. Quitting a batterer is dangerous, strenuous, and difficult because it has significant challenges associated with it. The barriers faced by women include feeling unsafe and the fear of what might happen to the kids. Safety is among the barriers that hinder women from leaving abusive relationships. Although a Protection Order can be granted to the victim, they feel that their partner can revenge. Michaels (2016) explains that a victim can believe that female battering is common and stay after the abuser apologizes. A battered person might also fear that the abuser can harm or kill themselves.
Some females believe that they can change the behavior of the abuser and have better days in the future and, therefore, stay. According to Michaels (2016), the community, friends, and family members are responsible for supporting women to quit bartering partners. However, inadequate emotional support and criticism of a battered individual become barriers because the woman blames herself for the events that caused the abuse (Saunders, 2020). Some females fear that they will create a bad reputation in the community and workplace if they quit the relationship. Economic instability is another barrier to leaving an abuser because some women believe that they cannot cater to family needs without the batterer. The victim experiences the challenge to leave if the abuser is reluctant to let the children go (Michaels, 2016). Therefore, women stay with the battering partner for the kids’ sake for fear that their partner might harm the children.
In summary, leaving abusive partners becomes challenging because of the barriers associated with it. The challenges include fear of revenge, the abuser harming themselves, inadequate support from family members, friends, and the community, economic instability, and avoiding victimization. Quitting an abusive relationship is crucial because it helps a woman maintain self-esteem, have a peaceful life and prevent harmful incidences such as injury or death.
References
Michaels, H. M. (2016). Why she doesn’t just leave: The interaction of attachment and perceived barriers to leaving an abusive relationship. Wheaton College.
Saunders, D. (2020). Barriers to leaving an abusive relationship. Springer.