Hi. I've worked in domestic violence.
1/ it is statistically likely that she will return to the partner many times before she leaves for good. This is a normal thing to do but it can be incredibly hard to watch. It may make you want to pull away from her but she still needs you. It's just very, very hard for her to leave.
2/ the partner may try to isolate her from friends. The partner may make it look like your friend is cutting herself off from you (e.g. The partner creates a problem/ threatens her/ hurts her when she's supposed to meet you so she can't come).
3/ Make a safety plan with her. This means planning in detail how she would leave the house quickly and where she would go. The scenario is that the partner will be back in 15 minutes and she knows she has to get out. The key message is in an emergency dial 999. Otherwise it's useful if, in advance, she can think about what would be useful including money to travel (it could be night so could be cabs), ID, car with petrol in all the time, warm clothes, bank/benefit books, any medication, phone and phone charger. Please remember that all of these things can be sorted out so it is never worth risking being hurt to get them.
Now plan where she'd go. Your house (partner may follow and what if you're out?) Refuges are available (usually on the same day if you're willing to go anywhere, and theoretically at night although this can be harder), local authorities can arrange emergency accommodation but sometimes refuse. Women's Aid national number is the access point.
4/ The cycle of abuse is as follows- a) incident of abuse, B) honeymoon period where the partner is "sorry" and "will change" and where the victim is reminded how "hard it would be" for the victim if they left and how the partner "can't live without" the victim. C) build up - the victim senses tension and begins walking on eggshells and altering her behaviour to try to avoid an incident.
This cycle runs and runs. Sometimes it's years between incidents, sometimes it's hours. I can remember the stat but women are attacked on average something like 30 times before they seek help.
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domestic violence can be really dangerous. I say that because people find it hard to believe its happening to them (it can happen to ANYONE) so they sometimes find it hard to see how dangerous things have become. There are some specific things which can suggest additional risk of being seriously injured or killed such as pregnancy, stalking, and attempted strangulation etc. There is a real risk (of being killed) to women in (and women who have recently keft) abusive relationships.
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It is never her fault. I'm sure you know this but it's worth telling her because its likely the partner is persuading her it is her fault.
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Women's Aid national 24 hour number is 0808 2000 247
Please send me a message if you need any specific info.