3:42pm April 11, 2013

“The other question everybody asks is, why doesn’t she just leave? Why didn’t I walk out? I could have left any time. To me, this is the saddest and most painful question that people ask, because we victims know something you usually don’t: It’s incredibly dangerous to leave an abuser. Because the final step in the domestic violence pattern is kill her. Over 70 percent of domestic violence murders happen after the victim has ended the relationship, after she’s gotten out, because then the abuser has nothing left to lose. Other outcomes include long-term stalking, even after the abuser remarries; denial of financial resources; and manipulation of the family court system to terrify the victim and her children, who are regularly forced by family court judges to spend unsupervised time with the man who beat their mother. And still we ask, why doesn’t she just leave?”

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“Why domestic violence victims don’t leave” - Leslie Morgan Steiner (via eaaao)

Read the comments on almost any story about a woman who was attacked/killed by partner, and I 100% guarantee you will see one that implies that the victim is at fault for not leaving or not leaving sooner. DON’T BLAME THE VICTIM.

(via stfuconservatives)

Will always reblog. And I’ll also point out that “just” emotional abusers will often do the exact same things—sometimes including trying to kill the victim after the relationship is over. (Also, it’s a mistake to assume that they won’t also physically abuse kids if they think they can get away with it.)

(via clatterbane)

Wish people understood the part about even after they remarry. I’ve been stalked by a guy I was never in a true relationship with, for years, and I’ve had well meaning people try to tell me I’m safe because he’s married now. As if that means anything to a guy like him.

Notes: