Not really sure where to start. I've name changed, but have been on the site for years.
Background
Posting on behalf of someone else. I've long (years) had suspicions which have unfortunately been confirmed today.
Long story short initially it was the H demanding the W have an abortion when already married. When on mat leave H being difficult re finances saying W not pulling her weight (she had saved and was paying 50:50).
Over the years frequent arguments / controlling behaviour by H to W. Now wife is no angel and can give as good as she gets and is firery, but she has been bending herself inside out to try to hold things together.
He has had emotional affair with a colleague. Now things have started to become physical - push here, push there which W now admits has been getting worse as the pysical aspect has escalated.
It has culminated in W being physically assaulted and thrown around like a doll. She wrongly threw something at him after and knows that was wrong. She has been to hospital - they have said she should start to feel ok in around 10 days time.
H wants wife out of house and has told the kids mummy "has to leave".
Next steps
W wants to separate immeidiately with a view to getting divorced. She doesn't want to leave the house. She has no experience of this and doesn't know where to start.
She wants things to be as painless as possible for the kids and isn't interested in point scoring. I'm a bit worried he will play dirty to keep the house (owned in joint names) and kids even though he doesn't really do anything other than fun stuff with the kids.I can really see him trying to turn the kids against her.
I've told her to call police, but she isn't ready for that and at the hospital still bloody lied to protect him.
Can anyone give advice re what she needs to do? eg paperwork she needs to get together, obviously a solicitor. I'm a bit lost.
Thanks