Some people try to run away from their thoughts or others truly are trying to escape the fear and abuse of another person. Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. (Domestic Violence and Abuse, http://www.helpguide.org/) As in the case of Katie, the protagonist in the book Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Katie has been running away from her abusive, alcoholic husband. Her real name is Erin but she takes the identity of her neighbors’ dead daughter. Katie/Erin's character development goes from a naive woman who stays and takes all the abuse. She later realizes that she can't continue living like that and flees but she always lives with fear and always with her guard high in case …show more content…
He would say that he hated what he'd done, but in the next breath tell her she'd deserved it. That if she'd been more careful, it wouldn't have happened. That if she'd been paying attention or hadn't been so stupid, he wouldn't have lost his temper.” (Page 310) When Katie talks about how her husband would treat her, you can tell how naïve she was to think that she could change. “He has sudden mood swings. He switches from loving to angry in a matter of minutes.” (Undeniable Warning Signs That Your Relationship Is Abusive, http://www.yourtango.com/, Oct 23, 2015) These article backs up how Katie was going through an abusive relationship and how he would suddenly change, he’s attitude towards her. “But I hate myself, too. I tried to tell you that that I’m better off alone. I’m not who you thought I was. I’m not the women you think you know.” (page 168) “While one person may suffer greater consequences as a result of abuse than another, there should be no shame involved in how little or much impact is suffered.” (After The Abuse Has Ended, www.mentalhelp.net) Even though the article states that Katie shouldn’t be ashamed Katie can’t help but to try to isolate herself from others that try to help her. Like Alex is trying to help Katie but Katie thinks that she doesn’t deserve his affection because she is a person who still has a lot of issues to work through. But since Alex worked as in the Criminal Investigation Division. “He’d been with Criminal Investigation Division, or CID,” (Page 16) He had prior knowledge as to what to expect of victims and how they would react after being out of an abusive