As a concept, this was particularly useful. It allowed for a shift in context so that clients would begin to view themselves as survivors rather than victims. This conceptual shift is now being applied as an explanation, rather than simply as a therapeutic device. We have seen women fully extricate themselves from their abusive relationships, relocate, and even divorce, only to return to that same relationship later. The hard truth is that we would all like to believe that battered women remain in unhealthy relationships for reasons that are understandable.
Women remain for economic, religious, circumstantial, and co-dependent reasons.
They even remain for reasons related to their own view of existence or survival. Again, we thank Ms. Menz for her thought-provoking comments and we hope that her comments and our response will stimulate further discussion. All Rights Reserved.