Abuse Is Wrong In Any Culture: Inuit

What if I decide to stay?

"He's promised to stop hitting me and says it won't happen again… I'll give him another chance … but just in case I'll have an emergency plan ready."

You might decide to stay.

Sometimes women have been told that they have to keep the family together … no matter what happens, or how bad things get. Many women face pressure to stay from their own family and their partner's family—sometimes family members tell them that it is against God's will for them to leave.

"The whole town knows how he treats me… they'll blame me for being a bad wife if I leave… and I still love him… but he almost killed me last time and the kids are going crazy… I have to do something."

In many communities women are blamed and put down if they talk about the abuse or leave their partner. And in many places no one tells you that abuse is wrong and may be a crime.

It is also hard to leave for many reasons, even for a short time, when you just want the violence to stop. It's hard to take the kids out of their home. And in small communities, there may seem to be nowhere to go.

And it's hard to leave when you still love him. You're not alone if you feel this way and it isn't wrong or bad to love him. Many women want to stay with their partner … they just want the violence to stop. They hope with all their heart that he will just change into a caring and loving husband or partner.

Even if you do stay, you should still get medical treatment if you are injured, You do not have to tell anyone what caused the injuries. But it's easier for them to treat your injuries if you tell the nurse or doctor exactly what happened.

And it is still a good idea to have a plan ready in case you need to leave quickly. Remember, usually the abuse doesn't stop by itself. An emergency plan is really important for you and your children!