Poverty and Domestic Violence. It shouldn't be a choice.

I wish I had a nickel for every woman who had to choose between living in poverty and being battered. Financial reasons are often cited as a reason to stay with a batterer. Those not in the field find that hard to understand. How could a victim subject children to an abusive situation?

Statistics say that 1:3 women worldwide will be a victim of abuse in her lifetime. To reassure ourselves that we would "never" have to make that choice we make snap judgments and often blame the victim. In essence, we lock the victim into an abusive cycle and throw away the key.

The following are some websites that look at poverty and domestic violence. Take time to read them. Doing so may help someone you love.

Domestic Violence and Poverty, The Narratives of Homeless Women
Low Income Children in the United States
2006 HHS Poverty Guidelines in the US