e at a greater advantage of getting assistance from the criminal justice system as more resource opportunities are within urban or city limits (Websdale, 1998). Although the accessibility of resources may differ for rural and urban women, the violence experienced is the same. Farms and ranches separate many homes in rural regions allowing for residents to not have neighbors for many miles. Living in hollows (secluded areas with relatively small numbers of homes and dirt roads) without access to public transportation makes it difficult for these women to engage in community life. The distance from “hollows” to paved road is usually several miles. It is possible for women to walk to paved roads, however the task of bringing children along makes it difficult. The length of time it may take to get to paved roads may endanger the threat violence on women even more as they run the risk of getting caught by their perpetrator.Control tactics such as removing telephones, disabling vehicles, intimidation, discharging firearms, and monitoring odometer readings are used by batterers to further isolate women. As evidenced by one women “He did not want me to have a car. That way I would have to stay home……he knew I would have no choice (p 6).” These tactics are also used in urban regions however as noted by Websdale, 1998 are more successful in rural regions. Urban regions have resources such as pay phones, public transportation and neighbors that women can access within reasonable distance.Abusers attempt to isolate women from friends, family and work. By not allowing her to work, the abuser limits her financial resources. Being isolated from family and friends battered women have fewer people that observe the abuse, thus fewer people to offer help or encouragement to leave. Many rural women go years without friends due to being so secluded. Community involvement (i.e church, school, social service age...
