Domestic violence knows no race, color, or economic background. However, women between 25 and 34 years of age and Aboriginal women, are most vulnerable. Spousal rates of homicide among Aboriginal women are more than eight times higher than non-aboriginal women. And, 51% of women in Canada, who were assaulted more than 10 times, did not even call the police for protection or help in ending the violence.

Making a decision to leave is not an easy one. In fact, many women return to the abusing spouse with their children, even after seeking help through a crisis shelter or counselling. Among the reasons—fear of increased violence, fear of losing children through custody or welfare agencies, embarrassment and shame, lack of emotion support, or lack of affordable housing and financial stability. Without help, abuse will likely increase and worsen.

Domestic violence, while often intensified by anger, is not so much about anger as it is about power and control in the relationship. Physical violence—kicking, punching, slapping, grabbing, strangling—as well as forced sexual activity and rape, are common outcomes. But abuse may also include threats to harm children or pets, shifting blame, money control, intimidation, and isolation. Leaving may be the only way out, but breaking the pattern alone is difficult.