How the mind works: Domestic Violence

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Is there any (psycho-emotional) literature or studies that explain how and why victims feel sorry for their abuser? Why they feel guilty for pressing charges, and or leaving them? Why they still feel a sense of loyalty to their abuser? Have any programs been established to help victims proactively avoid contact with their abuser after initial incidence to avoid being talked out of or into things by their abuser? I'm not talking about financial security/needs.

Helpful replies only. No victim bashing, name calling responses.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Stockholm Syndrome. Look into it.

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Stockholm Syndrome. Look into it.

Okay. I've heard of Stockholm Syndrome but didn't know that it also related to DV (domestic violence). I always heard about it with kidnapping cases. Thanks, I will dig deeper into that.

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And many people who are willing to stay in abusive relationships are willing to do so because they grew up in a household in which that was the norm, and they haven't ever known anything different and it's what feels "normal" to them. There is quite a bit of literature out there.

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Many people tell researchers they are afraid of retaliation if they leave...not just for themselves, but threats against their children or pets.

For many, fear of an unknown (What will happen if I leave? It could be terrible!) is worse than their fear of the known no matter how awful that is.

Ruby should be along soon soon to tell you more.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

There are local programs in this area that help survivors of DV: one focuses on the acute stages to help victims report, find shelter and leave the attacker. The other is for long term. They have classes for adults and children to help in recovery and learn what healthy family dynamics look like.

Both of these are nonprofits, and operate on charitable donations and grants. I am not sure that there is a national organization for DV.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

As the posts above suggest, you'll probably find lots of material on your subject if you do a good literature search. Those sorts of feelings are quite common.

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