Citation

Barnett OW. Trauma Violence Abuse 2000; 1(4): 343-372.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1524838000001004003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There is an urgent need to identify the factors that impede battered women's flight from violent relationships. This article is organized into two articles: Part 1 centers on external inhibiting factors within society (partiarchy, economics, and the criminal justice system) that influence battered women's stay/leave decisions. Answering the questions surrounding stay/leave decisions calls for a comprehensive, current overview and evaluation of methodologically rigorous research, including unpublished dissertations, qualitative studies, and opinions of advisory panels. However, the subject matter is sensitive, and some informants may be unsympathetic or uncooperative. This, in addition to the newness of scientific inquiry in the area, has restricted the empirical knowledge available. Part 1 of this review concludes that the patriarchal and sexist structure of society along with women's economic dependency and the inadequate practices of the criminal justice system are the primary obstacles battered women must overcome to leave their abusive partners.