i was listening to jeff buckley when i ran into this, (via jag and then nothingbutzen).
---------------------------
surfing around and found this. it's a bit (okay very) lengthy, but it makes a good point. although, it does go both ways, men can be *sses and so can women. at the end, i do believe that it's up to the person who is being treated badly, to walk away from a bad relationship. you will be treated as you allow the other person to treat you.

i have seen too many people stay in unhealthy relationships, allowing the other person to mistreat them. the reasoning for this have varied: no one else out there for me, i could do worse, too much time has been put into this relationship, they are nice at other times, they will change, i have to be strong and stay in this relationship because if i don't i would look as if i have given up. i have been there, and i highly recommend letting go of bad things in your life, for it is only when you have let go completely that you will be able to find good things in your life.

that's enough of my babbling...sorry about that.
(i said that i have been through it before, but i have to tell you that the person who mistreated me has changed, but not until a few years later, and very slowly and is still changing...so people can change but, it would have been the most unhealthy thing for me to wait to see if he would change, and he would not have changed if i stayed...walking away has helped him to change i think, actually i know.)
------------------------------