A woman gets battered by her husband. The police arrive, but she refuses to press charges.
A man cheats on his wife repeatedly, and yet she stands by her man.
A young woman makes eye contact with no one because she knows, thanks to her verbally abusive boyfriend, that she’s worthless. Day after day she returns to the house they share to endure still more.
Why? Why don’t women leave?
Here’s a reason I don’t hear mentioned much:
In 98% of all domestic violence cases, financial abuse helps keep victims trapped in the abusive relationship.
The abuser controls the pursestrings. The victim has no money, no credit history, maybe no knowledge of how banking and credit work. The victim has no resources to move out and start over, often no way to support herself or her children.
The Allstate Foundation, through its Click to Empower program, is working to bring abuse victims the financial power they need to break free. The site offers financial empowerment curriculum that can help those facing abuse learn how to free themselves from the chokehold of financial control.
One in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
Are you one of them? Help is available. Don’t wait! You can do this. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
Concerned that a friend or loved one might be being abused? Allstate provides signs to look for and ways to begin the conversation that might lead your friend to safety. Your presence in this dark time may be just what she needs.
All of us can make a difference by supporting local organizations and shelters that help abuse victims find wholeness. No one deserves to be abused. Bring freedom to the captives.
I’m blessed to not need the information in this post Carol, but I appreciate you sharing it for those who do or know someone who needs this. Thanks for encouraging me to keep my eyes open!