This article reports on the findings of a study conducted with 24 women who left violent domestic relationships in Lebanon. The study sought to understand the process of making the decision to leave within the particularities of the Lebanese sociocultural context. Findings elucidate a three-step process by which women make and carry out their decision to leave: 1) focusing on saving the marriage, 2) facing a moment of truth that helps them re-evaluate their experiences within the marriage, and 3) leaving without ‘losing face’. Implications of these findings for research and practice are presented.
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