The number one reason is fear. Abusers tend to threatend to hurt their victims, children, extended family members, or themselves it they were to ever leave them. The physical threats are brainwashed into the victims head causing them to stay with that person and enduring more abuse.
Abusers will also beat down their victims self esteem and self worth. They are convinced that nobody else would want them and that they could not survive on their own. Victims are also convinced that they deserved the abuse, or that it was their fault.
If children are invovled in an abusive home, there can be guilt about breaking up a family. Many women stay with their partner in hopes that things will improve with time. Rarely is this ever the case.
Lastly, most victims are unaware that there is help available to them. Victims are usually isolated by their abuser, and do not know how to access the community for resources.
This last reason is one that we can help with. By making our voices heard sexual abuse will no longer be a taboo subject. Each community can increase their awareness by making access more readily availble to those in need.
Soon I will be posting about some of the agencies that offer help and support for those affected by sexual abuse. You can help by simply sharing the information with your friends and family.