Final answer:
The statement about women returning to abusers due to fear of retribution according to Goodman and Epstein is false; however, fear of retaliation is a real concern among IPV victims.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that women who have been abused return to the abuser because of fear of retribution according to Goodman and Epstein is false. This assertion doesn't appear in the reference material provided. However, fear of retaliation is a significant concern among victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), as indicated by the chart showing reasons victims fail to report abuse, with 12% of females citing fear of retaliation. Research indicates that many factors, including economic dependence, emotional attachment, and a hope for change, can contribute to a victim's decision to stay with or return to an abuser. IPV often goes unreported due to concerns such as considering it a private matter, protecting the abuser, or believing that police won't intervene effectively.