My goodness, this a big topic.
Anyone who doesn't know to leave when they are being abused or worse has some serious psychological issues they need to work out first.
Personally, I don't believe in leaving when a relationship gets tough. It is more about maintaining a sense of harmony so you can always be open and honest with one another. Without that, it is a charade.
Edit: Apologies. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in jest. I will leave my original comment in-tact, as I did not realize until later that it was flagged. My poorly communicated meaning did not come across very well in writing, and may have been interpreted as offensive. An abusive relationship is no laughing matter. I sincerely hope anyone trapped in such a situation can find a safe way to peacefully find a way out, and get the help they need. In my second statement, I meant that a good relationship can be hard to find, and harder to hold onto. I have deep respect for people who are married for many years, and display the characteristics of a happy, healthy relationship. In no way did I intend my words to shame a person who has escaped, or wants to escape from an abusive relationship.
I am happy to communicate kindly. There will be no flag retaliation on my part. Only my desire to find better mutual respect and understanding.
Victim blaming?
Well, I hope so.
Life is so much more bearable when I am able to retrain my mind, and laugh at a terrible situation afterwards. "What was I thinking? I should have left that relationship way earlier! I was an idiot." I wish my friends would have been more honest with me and told me what I probably did not want to hear at the time.
We call it rescuing when a friend saves us from self-induced abuse from a bad situation. Yes, the abuser is rotten. The victim, in a way, is also inflicting extra unnecessary abuse on themselves, and they often do not realize it until it is too late. I don't blame a wolf for biting, I warn people it is dumb to play around with wild animals. Yes, victim blaming. Victim blaming is not a term I prefer to use in my vocabulary, but I will wear it as a badge of honor if I must. I don't have to let it ruin my day. This is a hypothetical situation after all, so there is no victim.
Positive vibes to anyone reading these words. I mean no harm, and apologies if I did. I make mistakes all the time.