The decision to allow singer Chris Brown to perform at last month's Grammy Awards - just three short years after he brutally beat his then-girlfriend Rhianna - has breathed new life into the national conversation surrounding domestic violence.
It can be easy to wonder why victims of physical, verbal and emotional abuse don't just pack up and leave. Of course, anyone who has been in an abusive relationship knows that such action is never that easy.
Abusers thrive on instilling fear and shame in their victims. It is not rare for an abuser to threaten a victim with physical violence, or even death, if he or she tries to leave. In addition, abusers have an insidious ability to inspire victims to believe that they could never survive on their own. Abusers often cut off access to money, break ties to victims' friends and family, and actively seek to destroy the victim's sense of self-esteem and emotional independence.
If you are being victimized by domestic violence, or any other form of abuse, know that you have the power to leave. However, it is imperative that you take steps to ensure your safety.
