Psychology Today | 19.05.2026 00:57
Many people assume that victims of abuse remain with perpetrators because they are financially dependent, physically trapped, or too afraid to leave. For many victims, these factors do play a role, but emotional attachment can also become a force binding victims to perpetrators. They may still long for the person harming them, miss them intensely after separation, or feel pulled back despite recognising the harm being done to them. This often leads to a painful and confusing question: Why do I miss someone who hurt me?
