Why Leaving Isn’t as Simple as Just Leaving

Leaving sounds simple until you understand the barriers to leaving and what is being left behind.

There may be fear, financial dependence, isolation, threats, or nowhere safe to go. An abuser or trafficker may control a survivor’s money, identification, transportation, or communication. Survivors may worry about their children, where they will live, or what will happen if they try to leave. Over time, they may even be made to believe they cannot survive on their own.

Even when survivors know leaving is the best thing to do, fear and the control others hold over them can make that step feel almost impossible. That is why organizations like Bethesda House exist — to provide a safe place, support, and resources for survivors and their children escaping domestic violence and human trafficking.

What also is often lost on those who are not in abusive relationships is the forfeiture of one’s home and belongings. Most of the women who come to Bethesda House have been forced to walk away from virtually everything they have. While clothing and furniture can be replaced, it doesn’t make leaving one’s lovely home easy. And imagine the hundreds of photos and mementos that can’t be replaced.

Leaving is often a process, not a single decision. A phone call, a request for help, or reaching out to someone trustworthy can be an important first step. We can support survivors by listening without judgment, believing them, and reminding them they don't have to face this alone. With the right support and a safe place to turn, survivors can begin taking steps toward a future where they are safe, valued, and free from abuse and exploitation.

Destiny McCall

Director of Business & Marketing