Expert: David Simonsen - 9/27/2008

Question
I have a slight problem...I have this boyfriend, his name is stephen. Stephen is more than I could ask for in a man. See we are still in high-school, ( juniors ) I know what you're thinking we are too young, but I love him unconditionally and I know he loves me...anyway...these past few months have been hell...I have this ex boyfriend...who beats me when he feels like...he makes me do " things " I don't wanyt to do...he leaves my face, wrists, and body all bruised, to the point were my boyfriend is afraid to touch me. Half the people at school think stephen is doing this, while the others know stephen would never. Its ruining my relationship so much I see stephen cry sometimes. He doesn't know I'm looking, but I am. He keeps teling me that he loves and who ever is hurting me he will destroy them. I can't tell because I know it's going to get worse and I know stephen will try to get revenge on my ex. It hurts so bad, that I just see one alternative out. Its ruining our relationship, to the piont were I shut myself off from everyone...I am so distraught by this I even started cutting again, when stephen see's them, I just try to say this is the last time I'll feel like this....its a lie and he knows it...It wont stop I can't see an out...what should I do?

Answer
You call the police when you get beat. You also go to the courthouse and get a restraining order against your ex. You are in no position to be in a relationship if you can't even manage a past one. Get your past affairs in order before jumping into another relationship. Your future will look much brighter if you do this in every relationship in your life.