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Very few individuals would become involved in a relationship they knew to be violent.
Domestic violence has subtle origins. What starts out as love, courtship and concern, may turn into domination, forced adherence
to rigid sex roles and obsessive jealousy. Victims are not masochists. They do not enjoy being hurt, abused, battered and
controlled. Victims may stay with someone who is abusing them for various reasons which include:
Fear of the abuser;
Love;
Threats to harm the victim, loved ones or pets;
Threats of suicide;
Believing the abuser will take their
children;
Religious reasons;
Believing the abuser will change;
Self-blame;
Limited financial options;
Believing
that violence is normal;
Believing in the sanctity of marriage and the family;
Limited housing options;
Blaming
the abuse on alcohol, financial pressures, or other outside factors;
Low self-esteem;
Fear of the unknown, of change;
Isolation;
Embarrassment and shame;
Believing no one can help;
Cultural beliefs;
Denial; and
Pressure
from friends and family to stay.
Battered Women's Syndrome:
Battered Women's Syndrome has become a legal defense for battered women who have killed their abuser. The dynamics of
domestic violence contributing to Battered Women's Syndrome include:
a]..The traumatic effects of victimization.
b]..Learned
helplessness.
c]..Self-destructive behaviors as a coping response to violence such as drug/alcohol abuse, and minimization
and denial.
d]..Repeated cycles of abuse.
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