Steps to freedom: the process of escaping abuse

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to look at factors involved in the process of women leaving abusive relationships. In two interviews of one to two hours each, each of the three women told the story of her abusive relationship. Study findings indicate that these women began abusive relationships during unstable or chaotic periods of their lives, when they were more vulnerable to manipulation. The abuse caused a distortion of reality for these women, but as soon as they were able to gain a clear view of reality, they immediately left their relationships.