Expert: Nafeesah - 10/14/2008

Question
I am in an abusive relationship,both mentally and physical. He threatens to harm me if I leave. He just recently punched me in the side of the head and face. I have a 4 month old child with him and I am afraid that if I leave him he will get to see him and possibly hurt him. He is on drugs. He is not real bad right now but I think he will be soon. I have a four year old son who I am trying to regain custody of and I don't know what I should do. I know if I left him it would hurt my case. I just don't know how much I can take. Please help me. What should I do?

Answer
You need to seek legal help and the best place to start is a social service agency they have resources to help battered women get legal help in getting protection from your partner. Call your local social service agency and if he's on drugs leave him as soon as you get this and go and stay with your children with a trusted friend or family member and begin doing it a little at a time like a few things here and there and your boyfriend won't know what's going on until all your things are gone along with the kids. Your main concern is your children and that's to protect them from their father who's got a drug problem. He can do nothing because who are they going to believe him or you because drug addicts can lie like you wont believe. Call a social service agency ASAP and explain to them your situation and start the process of getting a restraining order on him. The sooner you leave the better your life will be.