Why do battered women feel trapped?
Simply, because they often are trapped. That doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no way out. But there are many good reasons why it may be difficult to be safe or to end a relationship with a violent partner. The choices women confront are not risk-free. No battered woman has control over her partner’s violence, but women can and do find ways to reduce their risk of harm. The safety plan is a tool to assist you in identifying options, evaluating those options and committing to a plan to reduce your risk when confronted with the threat of harm or with actual harm. Whether it’s safe to write down your plan or not, it’s still important to make one. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own, call our 24-hour hotline and speak with a domestic violence advocate for help.
