Her abusive husband must have manipulated her to beleive that if she confesses the truth the police will arrest him and then it will be bigger trouble and humiliation. Most abusers show their innocent victims 'fear of God' in the sense they magnify the troubles they will go through if they do or say something that is contrary to their instructions. When you are unsure, scared and in pain.. most weak-willed women give in to such manipulation. This pattern is so common among abusers-victims all over the world. The abuser hits, the victim suffers, forgives the abuser and then the abuse continues.. and the same pattern of events continues till one person dies or the victim musters enough courage to walk out on the abuser.