Celeste had many resources at her disposal: she has a strong support network of friends; she has access to counseling in her community; she is highly educated; she had a lucrative career and pathway back into the professional world. Despite having all of these resources, it is still incredibly hard for Celeste to leave Perry:
Perhaps she could stay. It was always such a glorious relief when she allowed herself to believe she could stay. (69)
And the unassailable fact that underlay all her indecisiveness was this: She loved Perry. She was still in love with him. (144)
The boys had always been her reason to stay, but now for the first time they were her reason to leave. She’d allowed violence to become a normal part of their life. (414)
What other conditions impact Celeste’s decision-making process? What additional barriers might survivors face?
What other conditions impact Celeste’s decision-making process? What additional barriers might survivors face?