She has just called. She is the 2nd wife of a very old friend of my DH, who has been an alcoholic for 20 years or more. She has 2 young children with him. She has finally had enough. He is verbally abusive but she says not physically (although she has also said that he has "pushed her around" a bit which sounds physically abusive to me). He never sees the children because he either works or is in the pub, returning v late.
They live in a jointly owned flat above the premises that his business is in (post office and shop). She has a separate career and is working part time. Her parents are nearby and will give her emotional and limited financial support.
She is worried that when she tells him it is over he will bust up the flat.
She has discussed splitting up with him - he told her that he would keep the flat and the children. For some unknown reason she believed him!
So my questions - obviously there is no question that the children will stay with her. But she just wants him out of the flat. How can she do this? I know that legally she can't just change the locks, but if she does, what comeback does he have on a practical level? Or should we be persuading him to take a week off work, go stay with his sister (in another town) so that she and he can think about things, so getting her some breathing time to sort herself out? If she is scared of him, as it seems she is, could she get an injunction against him? Would she have to show a history of abuse to do so?
Any advice very welcome - we've promised to call her back with our thoughts.
Horrible situation.