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. Police officers often do not provide support to women. Police may try to dissuade women from filing charges. Prosecutors are often reluctant to prosecute cases, and judges rarely levy the maximum sentence upon convicted abusers.