Domestic Violence Before the mid-1970's domestic violence was not often talked about. Abused women hid their bruises from others,felt they were very much to blame and made excuses for the abuse.Most believed that it was part of marriage,something they must endure.Although the abuse was,like now,quite severe, it was better tolerated than the scandal of divorce or the horror not breaking up a family,thus denying the problem. DOMESTIC violence is being talk about now.Research is being done.People are beginning to recognize that battering occurs among all age groups and economic classes,but there is still a long way to go in dispelling the myths behind it. Although the first shelter for women in America started in 1866, the idea of women being allowed to leave their abusvise husbands did not really begin to gain support until recently.Because the public has only become aware of the prevalence of violence within the family,a great many myths still exist.Such believe s as battered women are crazy,masochistic,uneducated,or deserve to be beaten are still quite common. Not only are women abused but men as well. But let's not forget that men and children are abused as well. Let us not forget that also the the Elderly are abuse. They were caregivers and now we must care for them.