I’ll never understand why battered women stay with their abusers.

I’ve participated in the annual Walk to End Domestic Violence and worked locally with the Sojourner Center. I’ve spoken to countless women who have stayed with their husbands even though they were victims of abuse.

I have heard their explanations about being tied to their marriage for financial reasons, how they had children who needed a father or how they believed their husband when he promised he would never hit them again.

Yet, I’m always so proud when these women gain enough self-esteem to reach out for help and say enough!

This week, TMZ Sports released the video of now former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice bashing his then-fiancée Janay Palmer in the face and dragging her out of an Atlantic City elevator as she lay unconscious.

Originally, Rice received a two-game suspension, but after the video was released, Rice’s $35 million contract with the Ravens was terminated and he was banned by the NFL indefinitely.

What’s fascinating to me is Ray’s wife, Janay, (yes, she went on to marry him) is now accusing the media of ruining their life and causing unnecessary pain and embarrassment by releasing the video.

I’m sorry, what?!?

“I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend,” wrote Janay. “But to have to accept the fact is a reality is a nightmare in itself.”