Domestic violence: causes, effects, and prevention strategies

Domestic Violence

Remaining in an abusive relationship may seem a preposterous proposition to some, but a complex range of psychological and sociological factors impact the stay/leave decision. In particular, there are financial reasons as well as familial pressures to remain in an abusive relationship long after it is healthy to do so. Women in rural areas are especially at risk for suffering "further emotional abuse, physical violence, and sexual assault" after leaving an abusive relationship (Rouse 292). Patriarchal values and entrenched patriarchal social, political, and economic systems are at the root cause of why many women remain trapped (Rouse). Social and cultural pressures to remain in a committed relationship at all costs may deter some women from staying in a relationship after it becomes abusive.

Analyses of trends reveals that the longer the relationship has lasted, the more likely the woman is to remain in it (Bell and Naugle). However, if the level or intensity of the violence increases, the woman may be more inclined to leave (Bell and Naugle). Other factors that increase likelihood of leaving an abusive relationship include threats to the children and availability of options and especially financial resources. In short, women need to be highly motivated and logistically able to envision and start a new life outside of the relationship before they will leave.

Rouse points out that one of the common misconceptions of rural communities is that rural residents are more likely to reach out and help their neighbors in need. This is false, according to Rouse. Small town and rural residents are actually likely to be more "ruggedly individualistic" and thus more inclined to staying out their neighbors' business (293). There are also fewer resources such as battered women's shelters or educational outreach programs for women. This leads to the victims of domestic abuse feeling helpless, with a lack of community support for endeavors to leave a bad relationship. Women may call the police, tell friends and family, and often do actually leave the relationship but a large proportion return because of lack of support, resources, or options (Bell and Naugle).

Furthermore, rural or small towns often have strict patriarchal social codes that normalize abuse and stigmatize the victims. Research shows that abusive men often socialize with other abusive men, making their behaviors seem normalized. The culture in some communities condones violence, "pornography and bravado," and also "sexually coercive conduct," (Rouse 293). The man is viewed as a figurehead and leader of the household, and his authority is not called into question. What an abusive partner does is his business, making it so that neighbors are socially proscribed from taking action except in the most extreme cases of abuse.