Does it usually take a while before a victim of domestic violence seeks professional help?
Answer Hello Mariam, I will try to cover the questions that I know the answer to and hope that you can get one of the other experts to cover those that I do not. In most violent relationships the abuser is most likely a male though it is possible for a man to be abused as well. In my experience as an advocate I have primarily worked with women who were physically abused rather than those who were verbally abused. Then again, many women who are being verbally abused do not view themselves as being domestic violence victims. Most of what we hear about when we talk about domestic violence is the physical violence. The reasons that women stay in violent relationships are very complex. Therefore, when trying to explain why women do not leave violent relationships I often break it down to the 4 Fs. Family, Fear, Finances and Faith. Family. Family is very important to many people. For some women it is very important that their children grow up with a father in the home. She may be see herself
