On average, a DV survivor leaves 7 times before they leave for good.
Seven times.
That number used to frustrate people who didn't understand. Now I see it differently. Each time someone leaves, they're building courage. Testing the waters. Learning what freedom might feel like.
And each time they go back, they're not failing. They're surviving in the only way they know how in that moment.
Here's what matters:
We don't get to decide when someone is "ready."
Our job is to be there, consistent and without judgment, for attempt one, attempt four, attempt seven. So that when they finally leave and never go back, the support system is already in place. That's when real healing begins.
