I was living in a rural-ish area and over heard more than once being in abusive relationship was still better than being alone.

What you said is true. My heart goes out to everyone in a bad situation. I’m fortunate enough to live in a safe household with my family. However, I’m working at a psychologically abusive workplace with no respect for me and my coworkers. We were moved there in a shady way, now being overworked and taken advantage of. I’m holding onto this job for now because I need to help out my family. So sick of the longer commute and the daily drama though. Life was so beautiful a year ago before any of this crap unfolded. Good things come to those who wait. You all matter. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. All the best, everyone. I believe in you!

You may have heard that, but you probably didn’t consider the reasons why some people might have felt that way. Especially for women, they’re often at higher risk of violence after they leave an abusive partner. That person may very well have threatened to seriously harm them if they tried to leave. There’s also the brainwashing that they’re raised with that tells them that any partner is better than none, and this is especially true when said women have no access to their own income because they may have become completely dependent upon the abusive partner while they stayed home to care for children. I could go on, but if you care to learn more about all of the reasons why people stay with an abusive partner, the internet is full of information.

"Headed for massive collapse..."? Let's not overdramatically catastrophize. People (most commonly women) trapped in abusive households (that abuse could be coming from parents, partners, etc.) because of financial constraints is nothing new. This has been a reality for many women for a long time. Until we have social services infrastructure that matches people's good intentions, nothing will change.

I appreciate what you’re saying and have been a DV victim myself in the past. I’m well aware of that reality and the lack of services, especially in smaller communities. My point wasn’t just about that, it’s also about how the economic stressors that are at an all-time high (in my 7 decade lifetime) are exacerbating that situation, causing people who might otherwise be able to leave, to stay. The rise of zealotry in so many areas affecting politics, wars beginning all over the place, massive unrest, all of it. It’s a s*** storm already and it’s getting worse every day.