This document summarizes research on factors that influence women's decisions to stay in or leave abusive intimate relationships. It finds that children, economic constraints, social/cultural norms, and the presence of family support networks all impact a woman's choice. Women fear the consequences of leaving on their children and economic independence is difficult. Social pressures from family/community to remain in relationships also influence decisions.

1. Intimate partner violence An Examination of Women’s Decisions to Continue or Terminate Their Relationships by Mildred C. Huffman

11. Virginia Data: 2003 Description of Perpetrators: Family Violence MALES 94% FEMALES 6% AGES 18 < 1% 18-29= 24% 30-44 = 52% 45-64= 22% > 64= 2% ETHNICITY A. Am= 31% Caucasian = 56% Latinos = 8% Othr = 5%

12. Virginia Data: 2003 Description of Perpetrators: Sexual Assault MALES 96% FEMALES 4% AGE 18 < 1% 18-29 = 24% 30-44 = 52% 45-64 = 22% > 64 = 2% ETHNICITY A. AM = 25% Caucasian = 65% Latinos = 8% Othr = 2%

13. Virginia Data: 2003 Description of Perpetrators: Stalking Of all the victims whose perpetrators were spouses or partners, 54% were former than current. Two percent were from the same gender. MALES 96% FEMALES 4% AGES <18 <1% 18-29= 21% 30-44 = 52% 45- 64 = 26% > 64= 1% ETHNICITY A.AM = 31% Caucasian = 53% Latinos = 14% Othr = 2%

14. Virginia Data: 2003 Description of Victims: Family Violence Females 96% Males 4% Ages < 30= 35% 30-44 = 48% 45-64 = 16% > 64 = 1% Ethnicity A.AM. = 26% Indian = < 1% Asian = 2% Caucasian= 62% Continued Latino = 8% Other = 2%

15. Virginia Data: 2003 Description of Victims: Sexual Assault Females 92% Males 8% Ages <30 = 37% 30-44 = 46% 45-64 = 16% > 64 = 1% Ethnicity A.AM. = 17% Indian = < 1% Asian = 1% Caucasian= 73% Continued Biracial = 1% Latino = 6% Other = 1%

16. Virginia Data: 2003 Description of Victims: Stalking A Report from Virginia’s Sexual Assault Crisis Centers & Domestic Violence Programs (2003). Retrieved from website: http://www.vadv.org/secProjects/vadata2003.pdf on January 23, 2009 Females 98% Males 2% Ages < 30 = 34% 30-44 = 51% 45-64 = 14% > 64 = 1% Ethnicity A.AM. = 25% Indian = 1% Asian = 1% Biracial = 1% Continued Caucasian= 62% Latino = 10% Other = 1%