Expert: Azure - 4/7/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a sister that her husband mentally and verbally abuses her. He controls everything she does. How can I help her, if I'm not sure she wants help?

ANSWER: have you spoken to her about it?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: She has left him once because of it. She knows how he is

Answer
leaving before, and knowing how he is, doesn't mean that she actually wants help NOW--that's why i asked if you had determined thru speaking to her if she was ready to listen; if so, she needs to be ready to make a plan for leaving, that gives her a safe place to live and eliminates the need to see/talk to him; an attorney should be consulted, and counseling encouraged as well; many times abused mates hang around in the name of "love", and are willing to endure the abuse because of that and insecurity; hopefully she's had enough...