I study the causal effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) on victims’ tolerance in contexts where outside options are limited. I theoretically show that tolerance may act as a coping mechanism under prolonged abuse. I empirically test for this possibility by exploiting variation in the minimum legal drinking age in India, as a shock to alcohol consumption that likely increases violence and may affect tolerance. I find that IPV rises immediately when husbands attain the drinking age. Wives’ tolerance of violence, instead, does not adjust immediately but increases after prolonged exposure. This suggests that acceptance of harmful norms can emerge as a coping mechanism.