Why doesn’t she leave? Because leaving costs money. She needs first and last month’s rent just to secure a place, plus moving expenses—a truck, de
Why doesn’t she leave? Because leaving costs money.
She needs first and last month’s rent just to secure a place, plus moving expenses—a truck, deposits, and more.
Then there are moving expenses—hiring a truck, paying for gas, transferring utilities, and maybe even buying basics like a bed or kitchen supplies if she leaves everything behind. That’s the lower end. If she has children, pets, or medical needs, the price tag climbs even higher. For many women, the choice isn’t between staying or leaving—it’s between staying or facing homelessness.
Key Stats
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38% of all domestic violence victims become homeless at some point in their lives. American Bar Association+1
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Between 22% and 57% of homeless women report domestic violence as the immediate cause of their homelessness. azmag.gov
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Over 90% of homeless women have experienced severe physical or sexual abuse at some point. azmag.gov+1
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70% of mothers in homeless families reported being physically assaulted by someone they knew. American Bar Association
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About 25% of homeless children have witnessed violence. American Bar Association
And that’s only the lower end of what it takes to start over. Safety isn’t free.
Often women can’t save because abusive partners either spend it all and/or control every penny. Financial abuse.
Leaving abuse is never simple—and society doesn’t make it easier. The barriers, from housing deposits to childcare to legal roadblocks, aren’t accidental; they’re built into the system. These hurdles keep women and children trapped, turning survival into an obstacle course. When we ask, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” we ignore that the real question is why our society chooses to make safety so difficult to reach.