I am a survivor of domestic violence. For 20 years I lived 2 lives, one a competent corporate executive and the other a behind closed doors abused wife. I am often asked why I put up with the abuse for so many years and sometimes in an accusatory fashion. I don’t have an answer as to why I stayed for so long in that relationship.  

All too often people assume that women stay or return to domestic violence relationships because they have low self-esteem. However, the reasons women stay or r...