Some Situational Reasons for Staying

  • economic dependence/other financial reasons
  • fear (for physical safety and concern that partner will carry out some of their other threats)
  • concern about emotional damage to the children over the loss of a parent, even if that parent acts in abusive ways
  • fear of losing custody of the children or having a judge allow the parent who causes harm to be alone and unsupervised with the children
  • fear of devastating financial loss
  • lack of job skills
  • lack of information about free and confidential local support 
  • concern about potential interaction with law enforcement, court and other systems
  • lack of alternative housing options/not wanting to remove children from current school
  • fear that the partner who acts abusively will reveal confidential information, spread lies or tell friends/family members things that are not true or are private
  • childcare issues 
  • cultural or religious constraints
  • fear that their partner will unfairly use mental health history against them in court or with family
  • disability/caregiving issues
  • immigration status