![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fbexternal-a.akamaihd.net\/safe_image.php?d=AQBQC1vu0JKHMYVC&w=470&h=246&url=http%3A%2F%2Fi.huffpost.com%2Fgen%2F2039730%2Fthumbs%2Fo-WHYISTAYED-facebook.jpg&cfs=1&upscale\")
Contributed by: Jessica Brumbaugh, LMSW, SPCC Evaluation & Program Director<\/p>\nContributed by: Jessica Brumbaugh, LMSW, SPCC Evaluation & Program Director<\/p>\n
With recent headline news involving domestic violence, SPCC thought we might add some of our thoughts, as a group of professionals who work with women* and children facing similar and horrifying life circumstances. For many people, the question \u201cWhy doesn\u2019t she leave?<\/strong><\/em>\u201d immediately pops up in our minds, similar to \u201cwhy wouldn\u2019t someone swerve to the side when they see an oncoming car?\u201d Unfortunately, relationships riddled with domestic violence are not as simple to navigate, and usually do not begin violent. They often begin in all too common ways\u2026two people, attracted to each other\u2019s best sides, expressing their love, care and commitment to each other. And then, things change. For some the change happens overnight. For others the change is slow \u2013 an almost imperceptible shift from health to abuse. And what used to be a positive, life-giving relationship begins to appear differently. Tone of voice changes. Behaviors change. Rules and expectations begin to surface. And suddenly, one person is in control. One person sets the tone. And one person delivers the consequences.<\/p>\n To complicate matters, we know that domestic violence in the home increases the risk of child maltreatment and that children are also more likely to intervene when they witness severe violence against a parent \u2013 placing them at great risk for injury or even death. (NCADV.org)<\/p>\n So Why Doesn\u2019t She Leave?<\/strong><\/p>\n Some facts to consider:<\/p>\n Sources: National Center Against Domestic Violence (ncadv.org), Safe Horizon (safehorizon.org)<\/p>\n Common Barriers & Thoughts for women considering leaving:<\/strong><\/p>\n We hope that by reading through some of these tough realities for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence, you will be equipped with facts and a deeper level of understanding. And that in doing so, you will also be able to stand up in any way possible for the silent victims of domestic violence that are often unheard, unseen and yet exist in every community in this country and beyond.<\/p>\n For more information, and to learn how you can help support victims of domestic violence, please visit the following sites:<\/p>\n www.ncadv.org *85% of domestic violence victims are women. (NCADV.org)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Contributed by: Jessica Brumbaugh, LMSW, SPCC Evaluation & Program Director With recent headline news involving domestic violence, SPCC thought we…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":866,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[171,177,49,42,45,44,170,173,172,175],"tags":[81,135,136,137],"class_list":["post-487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ftip","category-hfm","category-infant-mental-health","category-passions","category-child-abuse-neglect","category-domestic-violence","category-programs","category-svp","category-tapss","category-tvp","tag-domestic-violence","tag-dv","tag-ipv","tag-whyistayed"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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\nI have no money or job
\nI have no friends or contacts (isolation)<\/li>\n
\nI don\u2019t want to lose my children
\nMy children need a father
\nLeaving goes against my faith<\/li>\n
\nI\u2019m sure he will change. He\u2019s good inside.
\nHe loves me. No one else will love me. (low self-esteem)<\/li>\n
\nHe said he\u2019ll kill me
\nHe said he will take the children
\nI have nowhere to go
\nHe threatens to kill himself
\nThe police & court will never believe me<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nwww.safehorizon.org
\nhttp:\/\/www.rmcdvc.org\/
\nhttp:\/\/hopesdoorny.org\/about-domestic-violence\/<\/p>\n