I do think that this a very serious problem and I would happen to know kind of first hand. My mother was abused when she was with my father and I had to see either his acts of abuse or my mothers outcomes a few times in my life. Its hard to deal with especially when you are young and see your parents dealing with that. It should be taken way more serious than it has been a lot of times this abuse can end in a death or bodily damage. I do also know that when someone is being abused it is not as easy it would appear to just leave. Too many feelings and thoughts are involved and to the outside person that is the obvious solution and is probably what the victim should do but it is not at all that easy. Saying this I definitely don't think that any victim should be slandered for staying in a relationship when abuse has occurred. It's a very serious topic and hard to deal with for everyone invloved and even the relatives of the two. You never really know how to help or what to say, most times people come on too strong when attempting to help out and end up pushing the vicitim towards the abuser even more. They have to be careful and go about helping the victim very diligently and get real advise and help from professionals who actually know what they are talking about. Most times one's feelings take over and drown out what really should be going on. Supposed love will make someone stay although it is clear that they are in danger. Your brain is made for thinking and making decisions, not your heart. It can only tell you what it wants, but what you want is certainly not what you need.