Strengths of Rural Communities
Although rural life does present many barriers to victims, it can also offer unique support. Some aspects of the rural community that work against the victim in one town, may work to his or her benefit in others, because not all rural communities are willing to tolerate domestic abuse regardless of religious and social beliefs or limited resources. For example:

• The “collective conscience” of a community can be in favor of the victim. In these cases, the abuser will be the one ostracized and shamed by the community, not the victim.
• A closely knit community can provide very personal assistance and relief to victims.
• Community members may be more willing to help people they know personally or are related to.
• Friendship and support networks amongst adults in rural communities are much more extensive than in urban settings.
• Rural residents often have greater access to their legislators, making it easier to change laws regarding domestic violence.
• Because service agencies in rural communities have scarce resources, they often build coalitions with each other making comprehensive service delivery less complicated.
• If the cause of domestic violence is taken up by an agency or church group, high visibility (and thereby, education) is possible in small rural communities.