You've met up with your friend and you're out having a good time. When you drop her off at the end of the night, you go in for the usual cup of coffee before heading on your way. Her boyfriend is home, and from the moment you step inside the door she is bombarded with questions. Where were you? Who were you with? Why wasnôt your cell phone on?

Smiling apologetically at you, she answers the best she can. You can tell he doesn't buy it. You pipe up, trying to help ease the blanket of tension that has settled over the room. He doesn't even look at you, just continues his barrage.

On your way home, you begin to think that maybe you shouldn't have left. Maybe you should have stayed. The next day, she acts like nothing has happened. What do you do?

One thing to remember is that until the person realizes they're being abused, there isn't too much you can do. Not that you should stay away, but you can't help. You can only be there when the rug is pulled out from beneath them. And it will be, for no one can take abuse forever.

Another thing to keep in mind is that at no time was any of this your fault. She chose to stay in the relationship with the man responsible for her pain. You didn't force her to. But you can help heal her emotional scars when she wakes up and walks away from the pain.

Our Women's resource pages has links and phone numbers for help if you are being abused.

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