Yeah, poverty doesn't help - boy, do I know that one, treat people like rats and they act like rats - but you get domestic abuse all the way up the totem pole. Until we get to the point where it's not acceptable to treat people like shit because they're "weaker" than you (physically, economically, socially...), the same old thing will keep happening. Still, it's better than it was. At least domestic assault is considered to be a crime now, despite the often lax policies in pursuing it.