Which belief is listed as a barrier to leaving: the idea that the victim is the only person who can stop the abuser?

• A. Belief that the victim is the only person who can stop the abuser
• B. Belief that leaving will ensure safety
• C. Belief that the abuser will reform soon
• D. Belief that the relationship is healthy

Answer: (A)

The idea that the victim is the only person who can stop the abuser highlights a cognitive barrier rooted in responsibility and control. When someone believes they’re the sole person who can change or halt the abuse, they take on a burdensome sense of responsibility and feel they must “fix” the situation themselves. This can trap them in the relationship because real change depends on the abuser choosing to change, not on the victim alone. The belief also fuels hope that the victim’s actions will stop the abuse, making leaving seem less like a solution and more like admitting failure. In safety planning, recognizing that change rests with the abuser and outside supports helps explain why leaving becomes necessary for real safety. Other listed beliefs—that leaving will guarantee safety, that the abuser will reform soon, or that the relationship is healthy—reflect different but less direct barriers to leaving.