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By: Lauryn Forster  Leaving an abusive relationship presents significant emotional challenges, but the financial hurdles survivors face are often overlooked. Many critical financial aspects are neglected, making it difficult for survivors to achieve stability and heal. Understanding these often-ignored challenges is crucial to comprehending the full scope of what survivors endure and work to overcome as they heal.
Immediate Expenses of Leaving Survivors of abusive relationships often face significant immediate expenses when attempting to leave their situations. One major challenge is securing emergency housing, as finding a new place to live can be a direct financial burden. Many survivors are forced to leave their homes due to partner harassment or financial strain. A study conducted by domestic violence shelters in Georgia, for instance, revealed that 38% of survivors reported experiencing homelessness after fleeing abuse, and 25% left their homes specifically due to these pressures. Transportation costs also pose a substantial financial burden. These expenses can include gas, train tickets, or bus fares, as well as the cost of moving children and belongings, such as renting moving trucks or storage units. These financial challenges are further exacerbated if the survivor has experienced financial abuse. Financial abuse can manifest in various ways, including an abuser opening credit lines in the survivor's name, taking their paychecks, controlling their access to money, or preventing them from working. Ultimately, financial factors play a critical role in the decision-making process for survivors experiencing violence. Healing and Coping After Domestic Violence It is easy to quickly judge others and question their decisions. However, it is important to acknowledge the immense challenges survivors face. In addition to dealing with the pain of violence and processing harm from a loved one, survivors also confront numerous financial decisions. They often wonder if they should seek new employment and who can financially support them and their children until they find a new job. They also consider whether to move into a shelter or their car, or if they should remain in an abusive household longer just to have a roof over their heads. Survivors contemplate these and many other questions in an instant. Part of the healing journey for survivors of domestic violence is acknowledging the inherent difficulty of a path they neither deserved nor chose. We guide them in recognizing that they did not deserve the circumstances they faced and then work collaboratively to help them achieve the reality they envision for themselves. Our specialists are dedicated to finding solutions to these critical challenges. We assist survivors in developing safety plans, securing appropriate housing, and exploring employment opportunities that align with their individual needs and experiences. Throughout this process, we provide essential emotional support. Recognizing that domestic violence is a multifaceted issue, we adopt a dynamic approach to healing. Survivors can and do heal, and they move forward. We are incredibly proud to witness how many survivors have successfully transitioned beyond the violence they once experienced, gaining vital coping skills and knowledge of community resources along the way. We ask our community to abandon judgment and instead choose care. By being part of the solution, you can support survivors as they make the best decisions for themselves and their families. You can be an ally to survivors in your community by donating, engaging in difficult conversations to end the placing of blame on a survivor, and educating yourself on the complexities of domestic violence.
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