Leaving a domestic violence home/relationship can be a dangerous process. It is not uncommon for the abuser to escalate their violence in order to coerce the victim into reconciliation or to retaliate for the victim leaving. The abuser is losing control and may threaten to seek custody of their children, interfere with the victim’s employment, or even kill them.
Statistics reveal that up to 3/4 of domestic violence assaults reported to law enforcement agencies are inflicted after separation of the couples and 75% of women who are killed as the result of a violent relationship are killed while trying to leave. Often those who stay in the abusive relationship do so out of fear that the legal system and law enforcement will not be able to protect them from harm.
The importance of having available safe shelter when the victimized person decides to leave cannot be overstated. Most often, leaving is not an abrupt, in the moment, decision but is rather a well thought out methodical process. The WCA’s emergency shelter, the initial point of entrance into the shelter program, is a well-protected secure environment. Thanks to all of the WCA donors that ensure the availability of safe shelter and provide the opportunity for those escaping interpersonal violence to create a positive new beginning.
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