LEAVE IT.
Leaving abuse is not a single moment. It is a process.
Leaving an abusive relationship can be one of the most difficult and dangerous stages of abuse. You do not have to face it alone. This page is designed to help you understand why leaving is difficult and where trusted professional support is available.
Find Support →Why leaving is not easy
People often ask, "Why didn't they just leave?"
The reality is far more complex. Survivors may stay because of:
Fear·Children·Financial dependence·Isolation·Threats
Hope that things will change.
If you are thinking about leaving
Every situation is different. There is no single right way to leave an abusive relationship. Your safety and the safety of your children should always come first.
If you are worried about your situation, speaking to a specialist organisation can help you understand your options and create a personalised safety plan.
Moments That Matter does not provide crisis intervention or safety planning. We encourage anyone experiencing abuse to contact a qualified specialist service.
to be safe. You deserve a brighter tomorrow.
Find specialist support
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please reach out to a specialist organisation. There are people who can help.
If you live outside the UK, we encourage you to contact a recognised domestic abuse organisation in your country. Moments That Matter is working to build an international directory of trusted support services.
Your kindness, your listening and your belief can be the moment that changes their life.
Kindness·Believes·Support·Empowers·People·Change lives
Supporting someone else
If someone tells you they are experiencing abuse, you can make a real difference. Here are some ways to support them:
Listen without judgement.
Believe what they are telling you.
Avoid blaming or pressuring them.
Encourage them to speak with a specialist organisation.
Respect that leaving may take time.
Keep supporting — leaving is a process, not a single moment.
Your support could become one of the moments that changes their life.
You deserve to be safe
If you are reading this because you are frightened or unsure, please remember:
What happens after leaving?
Leaving is not the end of the journey. Recovery takes time. Healing takes support.
The next step is rebuilding confidence, identity and hope.
Continue to REBUILD →"Leaving takes courage. Rebuilding takes hope. Neither should be faced alone."
In an emergency
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call your local emergency services immediately.
If it is not safe to browse this website, leave the page and use a trusted device to seek help when it is safe to do so.