Survivors of DV: what were the useful things that your friend said/did?

[Sockypuppet]

My friend already knows that she has a room in my flat and unstinting practical support from me.

She's in a physically abusive relationship. He's bought a flat in her building to keep an eye on her.

She's in the throes of making excuses for him. She's far from her family and that's part of why this creep has managed to worm his way into her life.

She's asked me to be nice to him and I've said no. I've gently pointed out that his behaviour is abuse. But she is just not hearing it.

Part of me of course wants to shout, "Oh for the love of God stop letting yourself be held hostage to this nut."

For those of you who successfully got out of DV relationships, was there anything that a friend said that was helpful?

Thanks for providing the listening ear. It was so bizarre and disorientating to be suddenly in that situation. I can't imagine how much more so for her.

But I'm glad I went out. I think part of her knew how I'd react to it all and that's why she was campaigning so hard for me to visit.

I also had a conversation with her elder brother. He was pretty shocked. He said he'd visit next month. In his words, "I'd be delighted to have a conversation with is person, and that will be the end of it."