They may:

• Still love the abuser or believe he will change.
• Be so afraid of the abuser they cannot ask for help or leave, for fear of worse violence or death.
• Fear they will not be believed, especially if there are no physical injuries.
• Feel failure, guilt or shame.
• Fear no-one else has experienced this and that they will be told it is their fault.
• Not recognise the situation as domestic violence, especially if their partner says 'he loves them'.
• Fear that their children will be hurt or taken into care.
• Suffer chronic post-traumatic stress and be unable to make critical decisions.
• Be financially dependent on their abuser.
• Be convinced by their abuser that they are worthless and no-one else will care for them.
• Believe that for them to suffer domestic violence is preferable than for their children to experience the loss of father, home, stability, friends etc... and so 'sacrifice' themselves.
• Feel a 'trauma bond' with their abuser, often called 'hostage' or 'Stockholm syndrome'.