In many cases it is dangerous for a woman to leave her abuser. If the abuser has all of the economic and social status, leaving can cause additional problems for the woman. Leaving could mean living in fear and losing child custody, losing financial support, and experiencing harassment at work. Although there is no profile of the women who will be battered, there is a well documented syndrome of what happens once the battering starts. Battered women experience shame, embarrassment and isolation.
Most women have at least one dependent child.
Many women are not employed outside of the home. Many women have no property that is solely theirs. Some women lack access to cash or bank accounts. Women who leave fear being charged with desertion, and losing children and joint assets. A woman may face a decline in living standards for herself and her children.