My friend says that her brother beats her up regularly. It was bad enough that the police were called in, but still her parents do nothing. Unfortunately, she’s 18 so child services can’t step in, and most of the stuff on battered women has to do with boyfriends/husbands. I’m not sure where to point her to…
Though you sound less than satisfied with their past involvement, I think the police would be necessary for an altercation between adults.
Thanks, and I hope your friend gets the help she needs.
The brother is 16, and she’s still living with her folks. The police split them up, but she refused to press charges. She says that it’s not a ‘pattern’, but it’s not the first time, either.
She’s in a horrible situation. It will only escalate, unless she draws the line. Many cities have “harbor homes” for folks like her. She needs a safe refuge, and the advice of the people there.
Assault is assault, whether or not it is inflicted on or by a family member. Tell your friend to sit down with her parents. She should say, “Mom, Dad, I am being assaulted by that creep you spawned and I can’t make it stop. If YOU don’t make it stop, I will call the police the next time and I will press charges as I am legally allowed to do.” Then, tell your friend to DO IT!!!
During the time that she’s planning to move out, she needs to carry a stun gun and pepper spray. As well as a cell phone.
Wouldn’t CPS be able to step in if the abuser is a minor?
This isn’t going to stop until your friends makes it stop. The way she makes it stop is by pressing charges and getting out of the house. Until she’s ready to do that I don’t know there’s anything you can do beyond getting her to do the above.