Domestic Violence “Tiffany’s Style” ~ 5 Challenges of Wealthy Abused Women

by Dr. Jeanne King, Ph.D.

Many people think that domestic violence is easier to deal with when you are wealthy. But, the fact is that the affluent have a whole set of issues unique to their elevated socioeconomic status that makes dealing with domestic abuse even more difficult.

How is it for the rich battered woman?

1) Disbelief

When they break their silence, a roar breaks out shoving them right back into hiding. People doubt that they are actually abused. “How can that be?” they hear, “Your husband is a pillar in the community.”

He can be a doctor, a lawyer, a politician, your community’s own clergy… If he serves in these caring/healing/protective positions, how in the world can he be an abuser? This dichotomy confuses outsiders looking in on affluent domestic abuse.

As an aside, it evens confuses Google. Try doing a Google search on domestic violence and wealth or money or affluent. These words connoting an upscale socioeconomic status cannot be found in combination with the term “domestic violence” (at least not at the time of this writing).

2) No Empathy

People withhold empathy for the circumstances of wealthy battered women. “You go…