BARRIERS TO LEAVING

Lack of Resources:

· Dependent children

· No outside employment

· No property

· No access to cash or bank accounts

· Fear legal action

· Decline in living standards

· Lack of shelters for battered women

· No longer-term housing

· Fear being tracked down

· Lack of documentation

Institutional Responses:

· Religious objections – “Save” the marriage at all costs

· No police support

· Dissuaded from filing charges

· Inadequate response from legal system

· Restraining order has little power

· Not enough shelters

Traditional Ideology:

· Opposed to divorce

· Opposed to single parenting

· Divorce is failure

· Isolation limits alternatives

· Rationalize abuse

· Sense of identity

· Honeymoon period