Domestic violence can involve pushing, punching, slapping, choking, stabbing, forcing sexual activity, or using the threat of violence to control another's behavior. It can lead to serious injury or death.

Typically, the first response to domestic violence is to ask why women stay in abusive relationships. Many women do leave their abuser. Other women endure the violence for a variety of reasons.

• Because of religious, cultural, or socially learned beliefs, a woman may feel that it's her duty to keep the marriage together at all costs.

• Some women will endure physical and emotional abuse to keep the family together for the children's sake. Very often, it is when the violence is directed at her children that she will take them and leave.

• Her husband or partner may not always be abusive and may show remorse at his violent behavior, promising that he will change.

• A woman may be financially dependent on her husband. Statistically, a woman with children who leaves the home has a 50% chance that her standard of living will drop below the poverty level.

• A battered woman frequently faces the most physical danger when she attempts to leave. She may be threatened with violence or attacked if she tries to flee. She fears for her safety, her children's safety, and the safety of those who help her. Women will be forced to endure physical abuse until people stop suggesting that battered women who stay deserve the violence and instead focus on the real issues:

  What can be done to help women end the violence in their lives?

  Why do men batter?

  Why has society condoned violence against women for so long?

  What can the community do to stop domestic violence?