Spot on. What stops an abuser? Someone who has the courage to throw away their power. The bottom line is, we teach people how to treat us. An abuser is only as powerful as we allow him to be. Like a bully on the playground. When you fight back, they become a wet noodle. It appears we have given him the power, now it's time to take it away. He needs a time out with no ice cream or whatever feeds his demon.