Seeing a loved one trapped in an abusive relationship can be both devastating and frustrating. On the one hand, you hate to see your friend in any kind of pain. On the other hand, you may not understand why your loved one continues to be in the relationship. Regardless, you want to help, but it's important that you
DO Offer Support in Any Way Possible
A lot of times, victims of domestic violence stick around because they simply don't feel like they have any other choice. This is where knowing they have your support can make all the difference. Sit down with your loved one and come up with a "course of action" for leaving the violent relationship, whether this means inviting the victim to stay at your place for a while, finding a safe house, contacting a domestic violence attorney, or anything in between. More than ever, your loved one needs support from you in any way you can give it.
DO Know When to Call Police
Of course, there are some situations in which you shouldn't try to take matters into your own hands--for both you and your loved one's sake. If you ever believe that your life or the life of your loved one could be at risk because of a domestic violence situation, it's time to call for police intervention. A lot of times, victims of domestic violence are hesitant to get the police involved because they worry about the abuser becoming even more angry, but ultimately, all you can do is go with your gut instinct.
DON'T
Understand that there may be instances where your loved one leaves the violent relationship, only to return to it shortly thereafter. This will be frustrating for you, especially if it happens multiple times. You may begin to feel like your efforts to help are in vain. However, it's important to stick with it and to not make an ultimatum with your loved one. Avoid letting your frustration and disappointment get the better of you. It's fine to tell your loved one that you're disappointed or upset that they chose to return to the abuser, but threatening to step out of their lives if they don't leave the abusive situation is rarely effective and is only going to make the victim feel more alone. To find out more, visit a website like http://www.jdlarsonlaw.com.
