Victimization and learned helplessness Spouse abuse occurs in at least 4 million American homes each year. Psychologists believe that many women who are abused by their husbands develop feelings of helplessness over the course of their ordeal, thus explaining their “decision” to stay with their abusive husbands. They come to believe that nothing they can do will stop the repeated episodes of violence, and, in turn, they develop feelings of depression, low self- f-