Agreed,
and yet, Tara, there are many one's shelters in the "Civilized" world. The original concept of Islam read Mohammed) was the freeing of all (women especially)
to be equal. of course that got susbverted after his death. There are similar instnaces in the Christian churches too, about subversion of the original meaning.

As to the domestic violence, just because there are no laws for or against something does it have a bearing on it's legality?