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Barriers to Leaving an Abusive Relationship

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Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Professionals and the public alike are puzzled by the seemingly irrational behavior of those who stay in abusive relationships. The most common question about intimate partner violence seems to be: “Why does she stay?” This chapter will present the latest research to shed light on the common barriers that make it difficult to leave an abusive relationship. It will address the process of leaving and the counter-intuitive reasons some return to these relationships. Studies reveal that leaving is typically not a single, sudden event, but rather a slow process through several stages.

Key variables are organized by levels of the ecological framework. The main variables are clustered in three areas: (1) material resources, (2) psychological forces, and (3) social structural factors. The latter include the way in which formal and informal helpers all too often add insult to injury when survivors reach out for help and how helpers’ beliefs and behaviors are tied to patriarchal norms. Applicable theories of the stay/leave process are presented and assessed. Past empirical and theoretical reviews are updated. The updated information includes the unique experiences of distinctive subgroups. For example, particular barriers may exist for specific cultural groups, races, and religions. Those with children and with more traditional family norms face additional challenges. Counterintuitively, those married to an affluent, high-status abuser often encounter unique barriers.

Information and insights from this chapter will help professionals, paraprofessionals, and nonprofessionals further their understanding of abuse victims. It will increase their sensitivity and effectiveness in responding to victims. Several innovative programs for improving survivors’ decision-making are described.

This chapter was initially published with an incorrect copyright holder name. It has been corrected to © Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Daniel G. Saunders

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  1. Daniel G. Saunders
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Correspondence to Daniel G. Saunders .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert Geffner

  2. School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensbo, Greensboro, NC, USA

    Jacquelyn W. White

  3. Dept of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger

  4. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum

  5. Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Viola Vaughan-Eden

  6. Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project, St. Paul, MN, USA

    Victor I. Vieth

Section Editor information

  1. Consultant, Alexandria, VA, USA

    Glenna Tinney MSW,ACSW,DCSW,Capt.US Navy(Ret.)

  2. College of Arts and Sciences - Society, Culture, and Language, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

    Shelly M. Wagers

  3. University of North Carolina- Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling

  4. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    L. Kevin Hamberger Ph.D

  5. Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

    Alan Rosenbaum Ph.D

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Saunders, D.G. (2020). Barriers to Leaving an Abusive Relationship. In: Geffner, R., White, J.W., Hamberger, L.K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., Vieth, V.I. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_186-1

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