Why don't people believe victims of abuse when they tell their story about how they're being abused?

Question

That makes some women feel like they have no way out, & some people say that the victims CHOOSE to stay in that situation, but they don't. People like me are scared to seek help because not even the POLICE believe us. Friends, counselors, family members, etc. It's very hard when a victim of domestic violence by a boyfriend or a rape situation feels like she can't speak up for herself because of fear of nobody believing her.

& not only do they not believe the victim, but they also make it like it's the victim's fault & call the suspect right & smart.

Answer 1

I understand you. I have been sexually abused when i was a kid. I never told my parents out of the fear that no one would believe me. But i was mildly abused during the times too. My mom would tell me it's normal and all that. It made me feel sad and of course it made me want to keep things to myself. I think that some people should believe it whether someone is possibly lying or not. You never know. You can prevent these things from happening to others and you can save lives. I will believe people who would tell me that they have been abused. I am scared to seek help. I was scared. But i eventually got over that and i don't really want others to know either. People should tell and speak up. People should listen whether they believe it or not. They can save lives.

Nice question.

Answer 2

Unfortunately people play the victim card way too often - and a lot of times for money or attention. They only hurt the real victims when they do this falsely - because now no one believes anyone about it.

BTW - a womens shelter will ALWAYS take your side. They will believe you.

Answer 3

They used to be believed until fairly recently. Unfortunately, too many people jumped on the "abuse" wagon for their own benefit--causing too many to suffer for something they never did. Now the real victims are again not being believed.

Answer 4

Well, a few bad apples have spoiled the bunch. Too many "Cry Wolf" calls. And women who don't press charges, over and over again.

It really sad and hard for a true victim, but keep pushing the law to do something. And for God's sake they need to get away.

Answer 5

nicely - at the start, i'm very sorry approximately this. the doorstep father is a despicable guy. i know i won't be able to probable understand what this appears like, yet i think of that the best ingredient to do is take your mom in private and rip off the bandaid. have faith me, i realize it relatively is going to likely be confusing, yet think of roughly it, you would be apologetic approximately in case you do no longer do it, and could no longer be apologetic approximately in case you do. wish this enables! additionally, if for any reason your mom would not have faith you, try related to CPS or the police.

Answer 6

Because it's painful to believe. If you don't believe abuse is true, you can ignore it without feeling guilty. If you know someone is being abused, you feel guilty doing nothing about it, and people do not like feeling guilty! However, they also do not like getting involved. So they tell themselves not to get involved. They tell themselves it's not THEIR problem, the people involved have created their own situation, etc.

Because basically, people are cowards.



- Strength and Honor, sister

Answer 7

I've wondered this myself.

My sister (from age 3 - 5) was raped/sodomized by our step father. She told our mom, grandmother and our great grandmother, and neither of them believed her at the time. She's now 35 years old and to this day, she suffers mentally and emotionally. We rarely talk about this, but to this day when it's mentioned, my mom and grandmother still say it's "no big deal." How could any woman and mother let her four year old daughter be raped by her current husband? It makes me sick.