Why Battered Women Do Not Leave, Part 2

Abstract

This article is Part 2 of a review of factors hindering battered women's chances of leaving violent relationships. Part 1 covered major external inhibiting factors (e.g., women's economic dependency and the shortcomings of the criminal justice system). Part 2 centers on additional external inhibiting factors, such as inadequate social support from workplaces and community agencies, and addresses internal inhibiting factors, including the processes and effects of socialization, psychological and victimization events, and victim traits. Evidence suggests that workplaces, health care practitioners, clergy, and social service agencies fail to provide the level of social support needed by battered women to leave. This article also documents a number of internalized socialization beliefs (e.g., acceptance of partner abuse) that affect battered women's decisions not to leave. Finally, several psychological processes (e.g., fear) and traits of victims (e.g., depression) complicate battered women's efforts to leave.