@Your hoe More or less. It usually requires a third party to help them realize they are mentally/emotionally in said box in the first place. In a more physical sense, some aggressors manage to make it literally impossible for the victim to get out of their situation (box) without some form of outside help as well. Sadly, even if a third party helped the victim get out of the box, it doesn't always guarantee they won't go back to it or simply find themselves in another box.
An analogy for those who may be interested (ignore otherwise):
Imagine a rat locked in a box for a long time that continuously gets electrocuted unless they sit on a specific button. The button doesn't stop the shocks completely, but significantly lowers their frequency. Sometimes, they even get a scrap of cheese for doing so. Sitting on that button becomes ingrained because it increases their chance of survival, as well as the anticipation of getting another scrap. Suddenly they are let out of that box. There is no electrocution nor a button to sit on, yet the uneasiness/fear remains and there is no button. The rat might return to that box or may unconsciously make it's way to another one like it because that's what it's familiar with, which can be less scary than the unknown outside. The boxes both harm and reward the rat, and the rat knows what it needs to do in that situation. Staying outside the box promises neither punishment nor reward, nor a sense of purpose or direction.
Sorry for the essay. My ADHD led me to overshare/explain, but I couldn't bring myself to erase it all after spending a lot of mental energy writing this. 😅
An analogy for those who may be interested (ignore otherwise):
Imagine a rat locked in a box for a long time that continuously gets electrocuted unless they sit on a specific button. The button doesn't stop the shocks completely, but significantly lowers their frequency. Sometimes, they even get a scrap of cheese for doing so. Sitting on that button becomes ingrained because it increases their chance of survival, as well as the anticipation of getting another scrap. Suddenly they are let out of that box. There is no electrocution nor a button to sit on, yet the uneasiness/fear remains and there is no button. The rat might return to that box or may unconsciously make it's way to another one like it because that's what it's familiar with, which can be less scary than the unknown outside. The boxes both harm and reward the rat, and the rat knows what it needs to do in that situation. Staying outside the box promises neither punishment nor reward, nor a sense of purpose or direction.
Sorry for the essay. My ADHD led me to overshare/explain, but I couldn't bring myself to erase it all after spending a lot of mental energy writing this. 😅