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 return is far more complicated than the strength of her character. A significant proportion of women who return to the domestic violence relationship attribute their inability to deal with their finances as a major contributing factor, which is often enhanced by the fact that the abuser often has all of the economic and social standing.

And this is why The Business of Me is such a important program as it not only gives women the skills to manage their finance but also provides tools to deal with the fears and shame they feel.

Domestic Violence hurts us all.