Afterall, the battered housewife who refuses to file charges and comes back to the abuser over and over again is indeed consenting to the abuse, and yes, that's abuse.
Oz, with all due respect, Sir I have to disagree with this statement. Most battered housewives to not return to their husbands out of consent, they return out of fear and/or a lack of a support system. As thir pointed out, many reasons are behind their decision to return to the abuser but I honestly don't believe they are returning because they consent.

Respectfully,
mpellegrino