Domestic violence advocates are frequently asked why a battered woman would stay in an abusive situation. Most women eventually do leave, but until they do, their reasons for staying depend upon each woman’s individual circumstances. Some women stay because they believe they deserve the abuse, or because they have grown up with abuse and do not realize that healthy relationships do not include violence. But many others stay only because they have no place to go and no way to support themselves on their own. Self-sufficiency is difficult for women who have no skills, no money, little education, and children to take care of.

A federally funded program is attempting to give battered women in Kentucky the opportunities and strength they need to gain more control over their lives and leave their abusers. Supporters of Kentucky&rsquo...