Hi,
I am after some advice as I don't know the best thing to do.
A friend of mine is I am sure experiencing emotional (and possibly physical) abuse from her husband.
I have known her for almost three years, we have children the same age, I have met her husband and didn't like him, I had a sense he was quite controlling, but no concern for friends wellbeing.
Recently she has mentioned that they were considering separating, she didn't really give many details and I didn't pry, but over the last few weeks little bits of info have come out via text or conversation that have concerned me.
He drinks and gets angry.
Accuses her of being a bad mother.
Shouts at her in public.
Says she is an embarrassment.
He doesn't care about her only their son.
Threw her dinner on the floor.
Refuses to leave, but said he would kill her if she took the child.
She says he has not hit her, but has come close.
She is clearly scared, and the behaviour is affecting their child and her mental health.
I don't know what to do, i want her to keep confiding in me, but she is reluctant to talk as she gets upset.
She doesn't want to upset their son.
She is worried of the consequences if she tries to leave.
I am scared for her, I know leaving him needs to be her choice and her decision, but I am worried that one day he is throwing the dinner plate on the floor, the next it might be at her. What if he kills her and I did nothing?
What can I do?