Warrington Womens Aid

Why do people stay in violent relationships?

Domestic Abuse is controlling behaviour, it is used to maintain power. People stay in abusive relationships for a variety of reasons, ranging from love to terror; fear of further abuse, fear of becoming homeless, fear of losing their children. The person may feel dependent upon the abusive person for money; a home, personal care.

Domestic Abuse is not alway's constant, there is a cycle where tension builds up, there is an abusive incident and then a honeymoon period where the abuser promises it will never happen again.

Whatever the reasons for staying, the fact still remains that abusive behaviour happens because of the abusive person's problems, not because of anything the person experiencing the abuse does or says.