Barriers

1. Fears
• Fear of violence escalating
• Fear of batterer killing her or the children
• Fear of batterer retaliating against friends or family members who help
• Fear of being alone
• Fear of deportation if she is an immigrant

2. Children
• Her feelings that the children need a father
• Fear that she will lose custody of the children
• Inability to support children financially on her own
• Direct pressure from children themselves

3. Beliefs/Feelings
• Belief that battering is normal
• Religious, social, and cultural beliefs
• Hopes that he will change
• Shame/embarrassment
• Love for batterer
• Depression, low self-esteem

4. Community barriers
• Few community resources
• Isolation
• Stigma and embarrassment
• Pressure from family, friends, society, etc.

5. Economic factors
• Lack of income and ability to provide for children
• Lack of housing
• Loss of health insurance benefits for victim and children
• Lack of transportation

6. Other personal factors
• Substance abuse problems
• Disability of victim or batterer
• Language barriers