Friend assaulted by estranged husband, children witnessed, should I tell others?

[Autumnbe]

Looking for some advice.
My friends husband left her for another woman last November. There has been a lot of coming and goings and he has been sleeping with both woman. Telling lies etc.

It came to a head last night when my friend contacted the other woman that he is partially living with, telling her the situation.

He then lost his temper and put her in a head lock and ruffed her up, not letting her leave and trying to grab her phone. This was witnessed by her two boys, one who is 15 went out and punched his dads car and the other stood there crying.

she said she is done with him
now but she has said this before and keeps going back. This is the second time this week he has been violent.

I think she was still sleeping with him in the hope he would see the light and come home.

she has told me not to tell anyone as it would betray her trust but I can’t stop getting upset about it. Her boys witnessing it and then worrying about what could happen to her.

Do I break her trust and tell our close group of friends so we can intervene as a collective? Do I report it someone?

You should report it to your local Mash team. Those kids could get hurt - physically and emotionally ,( if they haven't already),in the middle of that. She needs support to safeguard herself and children.She needs to keep away from him.

What is a Mash team?

Leave the friends out of it as that could come across as gossip and drama.

If you're going to tell anyone, tell the police or a family member.

You shouldn’t gossip with your friends, no.

But yes, I would report to SS because those children need support.

tell others for collective intervention? no. especially when she has specifically asked you not to and that it will be a betrayal of trust. Right now she cant trust your husband. She trusts you. If she can trust you and the group of friends, who can she trust? as others said, police or SS. Otherwise just be there for her. listen. encourage..provide resources e.g where she could go for institutional support. Being trapped in an abusive relation os a bit like being an addict. Only you can decide to seek help and get out. Friends cant force you. Plus she has to escape when its safe to do so. Telling friends might put her in worse danger

Multi agency safeguarding team.

We're the police called at the time? If so they will alert the school safeguarding team of a DV incident.
If not then you could do that yourself or report to Social Care.

Sorry, Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub .Are you in England ? Social Services ?

Tell the police OP. Those children don’t have a choice in what the fucked up adults do.

Tell the boys school. Let it come that way

No, telling your friends is gossiping. But do report it to the school or police.