Fear …..fear of leaving and fear of staying…..fear of reprisal…..fear for her life
Financial dependence…..finding work to support herself and family…..few or out dated job skills
Isolation…..unaware of legal rights…..lack of support
Physical illness…..coping with situation drains energy
Emotional dependence…..may still love partner, especially in the "honeymoon period"
Social Pressures…..may feel she is responsible for the success or failure of marriage….may have been pressured by parents, community, church to try and hold on
Low self-esteem….feels responsible for abuse….that she caused it
Cycle of Abuse….may feel that family violence is normal, especially if she was physically abused as a child or witnessed her mother being beaten
Accommodation….lack of alternative housing may force a woman to stay.
Extended family members may not be willing or able to accommodate her and her children.       

The truth is that they are not responsible for the abuse and to stay in an abusive relationship may result in serious injury or even death. Women NEVER like being beaten.