Many people ask this question, “Why don’t domestic violence survivors just leave?” While this question may seem straightforward, I promise you that the answer is not. Studies show that survivors have a lot to think about before they go around asking for help. They are usually afraid that their abusers will kill them if they find out. Even worse, the batterers will take to harming other family members to show dominance. Survivors know that if they try to leave, the violence will usually increase and can result in “teaching them a lesson;” leading to homicide. In addition, the lack of resources such as money and healthcare may be required to successfully leave the abusive relationship. In some cases, the survivor will be rendered emotionally void if this abuse is a constant occurrence. They may not have the emotional capacity or strength to even figure out how to leave.
In the situation that they feel as though they need help and are willing to take that route, they have several ways to be provided with the assistance they need. They can call, chat, or text the National Domestic Violence Hotline. This public service is accessible 24/7. The people who help are trained professionals who know to keep your experience private and confidential. Pricing is not an issue because this aid is free! Everyone deserves to be in a healthy relationship and definitely deserves to leave one when they choose to do so. Their website can be found on the world wide web. Survivors often credit the hotline with “saving my life from an abuser, giving me the fact I needed in an emergency to equip myself to get out.” Nobody deserves to be in any sort of danger and everyone should be specially equipped to get themselves out if the need arises.
Domestic violence is a common issue surrounding our world to this day and it is an important one. Safety and protection from these kinds of brutalities is the key to reducing the people influenced as a whole. Regardless of race, gender, or age, nobody has an excuse to hurt anybody else and no one should bear the consequences of these actions. In the words of Rupi Kaur, “and here you are living despite it all.”