Our dear friend came to stay for the first time in two years. We had a lovely weekend. She's been with a guy for two years, and I know it had been rocky. He didn't come.
Anyway, she left for home and ten minutes later was back at our kitchen table crying her eyes out. She couldn't bear to go back. He'd barraged her with messages and abuse about being 'late' (i.e. beyond his acceptable time window) home, and then harassed her elderly mum with calls. She's still with us now and is safe here. It all came out and he's a misogynistic, abusive, coercive manchild and her self esteem is at rock bottom. I think she's finally recognised the relationship is toxic and she needs to extricate herself from it, but he's clever and highly manipulative. I think he's the sort who could turn violent. He's in her house at the moment 'waiting for her' but normally lives with his parents. She's scared to finish it, and I'm worried she'll get back to him and it will just carry on as she's scared to leave. We've agreed to take her dog, as she's worried he will take revenge on it. We can't physically be with her when she ends it, but we've suggested in a public place, not at home.
I've put her onto Woman's Aid and suggested she calls the police to see how they can help. Any other ideas about how we can support her would be wonderful. I really need to help her get out of this.