Geez, I'd never, ever suggest taking a runner lightly. It's an extreme measure for extreme circumstsances, and it's important to pass along what the possible costs and consequences of such a move will be. I'm a big advocate of first giving negotition every possible chance.

But I don't think it's either Maverick or Macho to suggest that a truly abusive situation simply can't be tolerated, and that quietly playing along with such treatment is perhaps not the right thing to do. There are times when standing up for yourself is necessary and proper. Of course a person can only make such a judgment for themselves...and we can try to help them get the information they need to make that judgment.