Love is meant to be supportive. What happens when you are hurt by the one you love? Women have many questions about their relationship and are discouraged by the lack of support and information they receive from family and friends. We wrote When Love Hurts to answer some questions and help women make sense of their relationship. Some common questions women ask: Am I experiencing abuse? Why does my partner hurt me? Why do I stay? Will my children be abusive? Is there something wrong with me? How do I heal from the abuse? First and foremost, this book is for women who have experienced abuse from their male partner. Since this book was first published, we have discovered it also has a wider audience. Professionals supporting women who have experienced abuse will find this book helpful. Reading this book will assist you to better understand the complex situation women find themselves in. We encourage doctors, lawyers, religious leaders and others to keep a copy of this book available for their own reference and to loan to those seeking advice or direction. As well, many counselors, advocates, and shelter workers find this book a great guide for both individual and group counseling. Similarly, friends and family will find this a helpful book. When someone we love is being hurt in a relationship, there is a natural impulse to stop the hurt as quickly as possible. Friends and family may make the mistake of oversimplifying the situation and pushing the woman to either leave the relationship or to "fix" it. Unfortunately, there is nothing simple about all the conflicting emotions and practical challenges of living with an abusive man. What women need most are support people who appreciate how difficult their situation is and can hang in with them during the long run. This book can help you to be that kind of person. - Publisher.