Why Victims of Abuse Often Have to Leave While Offenders Stay

Victims and children often have to flee abusive homes because our systems prioritize removing them from danger instead of removing the abuser. While physical abuse is easier to see, emotional and coercive control often go unnoticed and can be just as deadly. Abuse isn’t always gender-based, but male-on-female violence remains the most common. Advocates can help lessen fatalities by going beyond checklists, listening deeply, building trust, documenting evidence like the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit, and creating long-term safety plans for every survivor.