Added Barriers in Different Populations

In addition to the factors listed above, there are some important additional factors that prevent women in different populations from leaving an abusive relationship.

In a Lesbian relationship the abused partner might not leave because she has the additional burden of society’s homophobia to deal with. She might not be “out” to her family or her job, and she might fear that the abuser will “out” her to them, which might make her lose her job, her kids, etc.

For an Immigrant woman the fear of being alone in a foreign country where she might not have any other emotional, financial, cultural support other than the abuser might prevent her from leaving. This is further compounded for undocumented immigrant women, who might fear being reported to INS and thus being deported, losing her children, etc.

For a Disabled woman , her disability and the resultant dependence on her abusive partner for economic or physical support might prevent her from leaving.

In addition, women from minority populations also have to deal with the added burden of having little credibility in a world (society and its institutions) that is already hostile towards them and discriminates against them. Even when they try to leave, the larger system might actually penalize and victimize them further.

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