i want to help my friend

[oopsy's]

AHH i feel so helpless but not for me for my best friend
shes like me really both slightly weird in a funny kind of way and she moved to this school about 4 months ago and even then there was just people who absolutely hated her for absolutely no reason at all so me and her became friends quite quickly and then people started to hate her even more and she started to cut which i managed to help her stop but then she was getting death threats and the odd shove and punch and i would tell the other people to piss off and for some reason they listen:confused: anyway i found out her mum beats her up the odd time she comes with bruises or cuts and when she told her mum that she used to cut her mum handed her a knife and said do it if you like i dont fucking care i wish you were dead anyway it would make everybodys life better :eek: and her mum still hits her and i really want to help her but i dont know what to do any suggestions???

[smitty35]

This is child abuse and, not to mention, major bullying. My suggestion to you for her is to go to the authorities. Police. That is the only way she can get out of this living hell in one piece. Even if she told you not to tell anyone (including the cops) you have to do what is best for HER, even if it does break your friendship. Just knowing one of your friends, that had a bad past, is in a good position now, is a great feeling.

[Fiction]

You're friend really needs help. More help than you can give her. You can help in two ways.

You can help her to get the help she needs, if that makes sense. As the above poster said, go to the authorities about this. She is being abused. If you don't want to go to the authorities over this, tell a trusted teacher. Preferably rather than telling the teacher yourself, persuade your friend to do so.

The other way is just be there for her. Make sure she knows that you're always there if she wants to talk, you're always there as a shoulder to cry on.

[oopsy's]

yeh thanks
the teachers found out and had her mum in but they did jack shit so i dont really know why they havent done anything but i guess they have there reasons :confused: but thanx 4 the advice

[Myrnodin]

Hey there.

Sometimes, depending on your country, teachers and school-related authorities an be quite incompetent solving issues, but they usually can guide you into the right direction. There are usually police dependencies that specialize in child and teenager issues, where people are actually prepared to deal with this kind of situation in a more teen-friendly way. (This means they actually care if your friend asked you not to tell anyone about it and act accordingly)

Id recommend you ask about this to the school counselor, or the director, or someone at the top. (You could also ask in a police departament) You can tell them what you think is necessary to get the information, but once you get to the right place, you have to tell them all they NEED to know in order to help your friend.

On a different topic, you should also encourage your friend to tell the authorities herself, or at least go with you. (There have been times when i do all the talking and the victim just nods) Also remind your friend that her mom wont be jailed or something "bad" like that. They will be separated until her mom undergoes therapy and understands that hitting another living thing gets people nowhere.

I sincerely hope this helps. Feel free to ask any question you have, and ill do my best to answer.

Regards,

Josh.