Why do victims stay with an abuser or return?
Victims of abuse often love or care about the people who harm them. Keeping the family together may be important to victims for the sake of the children or religious and cultural beliefs. Some victims fear they will be seriously hurt or killed if they leave. Others lack the financial resources and/or housing they need to leave. Medical conditions and disabilities also may make living on their own difficult. The victim may be the caregiver for the abuser and therefore reluctant to leave.
