The person being abused most of the time is abused emotionally as well, where they almost feel like if they change a behavior the abuser will stop hurting them.
They are so emotionally beat down that they feel hopeless that they would never make it on their own because of the degrading the abuser does.
Taking back the abuser is usually because they feel the abuser will change , most of the times the attacks become more frequent and severe.
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Very interesting. So, it seems that their reality and mental functioning gets preconditioned by the abuser. I have never heard of a successful cure to restore them. What should we do with these "victims"?
Pre- 1990's there really wasn't the support, or outreach so the abuse was continued. Cops rarely even responded to domestic abuse , and the abuser rarely went to jail. Thanks to new laws and awareness abuse is now a crime and the perpetrator is convicted.
Just like any situation or condition~
Hope!
Many of the victims are isolated and made to feel that it is their fault, or full of fear by the threatened beatings. Many survive and get away, and sad to say many die.
Support groups and counseling can help a person move on and have a productive life, some continue the behavior onto the next generation.
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This. Plus there are often financial considerations. The abuser may have forced the abused to quit her job (or inflicted so many injuries that she's had to take so sick days and she can't hold onto a job).
The problem's complicated if she has kids. Where can she go, what can she do, to protect her kids from abuse?
But, yes, there is more support outside the abusive situation than there used to be, so there is hope.
The problem is twofold, though. The abused needs to be aware that help exists, and then has to seek out that help. Doctors and ER personnel are more attuned to the signs of abuse and can ask questions and offer support.
But, as you say, often the abused is so beaten down she thinks "I deserve this" and goes back to the abuser.
This is not limited to women. Men are also victims of abuse, but societal norms make it even harder for them to admit it and seek help.