mystifying decisions

K so today I saw something I didn't think I'd see...
About a month and a half ago, a customer of mine came into the store, Erica, she was covered in bruises, face battered, arms and legs black and blue, bruised all over. Her boyfriend had kicked the shit out of her that weekend. A couple of months before, she had had a new baby, and she has two other kids who are about 7 and 10 ish I think. She was very philosophical about it, just shrugging and saying it had been a bad weekend and she was single again. I liked her attitude, looking ahead, not moping, being strong and not being afraid. The boyfriend was out of her life, and she was moving on.
He'd been reported to the police, and would probably lose his job as a carer, but someone who beats up someone who he proffesses to love shouldn't be looking after old people or anyone for that matter. Bear in mind that Erica is only little, shorter than me and delicately built, her boyfriend was tall, and although not particularly big, still bigger than her. I'm amazed he didn't do her more damage, from what I've heard he had her on the floor and was kicking her at one point. But I digress.
Today I was even more surprised to see them both, together, obviously together I mean, doing some shopping in the store.
Now I am a great believer in second chances, but if he can do that to her once, he can do it again. And there are kids involved. I wouldn't go back to someone who kicked the shit out of me, and I can't understand why Erica would, she always seemed so strong and capable, and it worries me that she seems to be back with this guy. I admit I don't know much about the situation and the circumstances of what happened that night, but I'm sure nothing warrants a beating like that, or any beating. I can only hope that she knows what she's doing, and that he is getting some kind of help for the problem he has. And I hope she doesn't live to regret going back.