In Recovering From Intimate Partner Violence, Women's Reasons for Forgiving Matter

For women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV), the practice of forgiveness can be an important part of the process of recovery. However, the forgiveness of abusers also brings increased risk of exploitation and return to abusers. This study focused on data contributed by 67 women who experienced IPV and forgave their abusers. It examined the prevalence of four reasons for forgiving (i.e., whether women forgave for the sake of themselves, their offenders, their relationships, or their religion). It asked whether different reasons for forgiving were associated with intent to return to abusers. It found that most women forgave for their own sakes, but many also forgave for the sake of their religion. Only forgiveness for the sake of a relationship was associated with intent to return.