Domestic Violence

Abstract

ABSTRACT As our communities and families are faced with the growing problem of violence, more information is needed as to what women in abusive relationships see as challenges that prevent or delay leaving. To address the issue in the brief therapeutic environment, 14 women in counseling for abuse agreed to participate in three task groups and were asked to identify and rank-order the challenges they faced that could prevent them from leaving. Group one included women who had a desire to leave but were not sure they could. Group two consisted of women working on a case plan but who still had concerns; and, the third group contained women who had left the relationship and were expecting not to return. Overall, when analyzing and comparing these groups, all women (regardless of the stage of leaving) expressed similar challenges and concerns. Major themes presented in all groups included: limited resources (e.g., money, shelter, day-care and medical expenses), fears (e.g., fear of being killed, retaliation, being alone, making the wrong choices, the unknown), commitment to the relationship, concern for children, love for the abuser and other emotional issues. These challenges are discussed and specific applications to facilitate practice are made.