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Experts Say Abusive Relationships Complex, Not Easy To Break Off

(CBS) -- The day after her husband Ray Rice was released and suspended indefinitely, his wife Janay posted in Instagram calling their situation a "nightmare."

The disturbing video shows Rice punching his fiancée at the time inside an elevator at a hotel in Atlantic City seven months ago.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov takes a look at why victims often defend and stay with those who hurt them.

The disturbing video clearly shows the brutality of Ray Rice's punch that knocked his wife Janay out cold. But instead of blaming her husband, she released an Instagram statement, defending the "man I love," adding, "just know we will continue to grow and show the world what real love is."

Experts say the dynamics of an abusive relationship are complex financially, physically and emotionally.

"There are just myriad of reasons why victims don't leave and they don't necessarily want to leave, they just want the violence to stop," said Gwyn Kaitis.

Kaitis runs a domestic violence helpline in Chicago, which gets 100 calls a day. She says many callers fear if they leave, they or their children will be hurt. And then - there's hope.

"They love their partners and they have hope that partner will change," she said.

Licensed clinical social worker Reginald Richardson says statistics show, "If you're hit once, you'll be hit twice." The Rice's have appeared together, never alluding to previous abuse. But Richardson says the threat for her, and other victims, is there, unless the abuser gets help.

"I think what has to happen is that the batter has to be treated for the anger issues and the things that might be operating in his past that violence become a way in which they can relate," she said.

It's a start but unfortunately, studies show treatment doesn't always end the violence. Some victims don't know where to turn, which is why hotlines can help.

The Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line can be called at 1-877-863-6338.

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