Imagine being in an abusive marriage or relationship isolated from your family and friends. Imagine being unemployed for whatever reason while in an abusive marriage – perhaps you are pregnant or doing the endless job of being a stay at home mom. Or, perhaps you are working but don’t earn enough to live off of just your income. Or, you are pregnant and considering making an adoption plan, but your boyfriend / husband controls all the money and refuses to consent to adoption. How will you afford an adoption attorney and the lengthy legal process to protect yourself and the unborn?

Money limitations contributes to a victim’s captivity as many victims are oppressed by financial abuse. With limited resources, she often is forced to stay in the abusive environment or return to her batterer when funding runs out or her time at the shelter has expired {Note: Due to limited space and high demand, many shelters only allow for women to stay a few days up to thirty days}.

Allstate Insurance has a series of online courses to educate and empower victims of domestic abuse with financial choices to aid in their exodus. Allstate’s resources can be found Allstate Foundation Domestic Violence Resources and Purple Purse.

Additionally, you will need to plan for your safety. Never just leave as it may have fatal consequences. Click Here For Safety Planning.

If you are a victim of domestic violence – whether it is verbal abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse, or all of the above, be kind to yourself as you sojourn along this dark and wearisome journey. You can make it out but it requires much wisdom, faith, and courage! Remember, leaving isn’t an event. It’s a process!