Leeway, a shelter from domestic abuse

Domestic Violence Helpline Call 0845 241 2171 Now

Why Don’t Women Leave?

For women escaping violence is difficult for many reasons:

• Women and their children are often financially dependant on the abuser
• Legal protection can be inadequate and ineffective
• Women may worry about being isolated from their families, taking their children away from friends, family and familiar surrounding
• Women may be scared of the future, where to go, what will they do for money, what will happen to the children and their education
• It is difficult to find somewhere safe where they will not be found, will they have to hide forever
• Mixed emotions as the perpetrators aren’t always violent, there was a reason they began a relationship, the victims just want the violence to stop
• Women are unsure of their options, will they be taken seriously, what rights they have, what resources and support they will receive

Seek And Find orders

• Women may believe it’s better to stay for the sake of the children, keeping a father in their lives
• Women may have low self esteem as a result of the abuse, and be lacking confidence
• Fear – The most dangerous time for a woman is when she leaves. Many women are frightened of the abuser and it’s common for the perpetrators to threaten to harm or even kill their partners or children if they leave.

All Leeway’s client based services aim to empower women and children by providing them with the time, space, support and information they need to make decisions about their futures.