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When a friend lives with abuse
True life: Helping a friend when they have nobody else to turn to.
Friendship is a strange thing – you can spend hours with somebody, think you know everything about them, be there for them during good times and bad, and yet.... know nothing about what their life is really like.
I discovered just how true this was a while back. It was the weekend and one of my best friends, who I usually saw a few times a week wasn’t answering his mobile. Okay, I thought... he’s busy. On Sunday, I still hadn’t heard from him. I was surprised but didn’t really think too much of it – I had a great weekend, enjoyed myself and presumed I’d see him during the week.
On Monday, my friend called. Before I had a chance to complain about his lack of contact, I realised that something was wrong. He was near to tears on the phone and told me that there had been problems at home and he had nowhere to stay. I invited him over, presuming that he’d just had a fight and needed someone to vent to or a sofa for a night.
A bit of background... my friend lived with his father and young brother. There had always been difficulties between him and his father – problems with money and drinking – and I always thought that my friend told me everything about what he was going through at home. He was quite open about it with other friends too.
Yes, it was tough for him and he didn’t get on with his father, but back then, I THOUGHT that he was okay as he could talk to us and vent about how things were with his father.
I was wrong. I presumed that when he openly talked about how difficult his father was, it meant that he told me everything. I didn’t ask for details or if he needed help.
When he arrived at my flat – looking exhausted, with no bag and hardly any money – the full story came out. His father had been physically abusing him for months – lashing out every time they had an argument.
At the weekend, the violence had gotten worse and after locking himself and his brother in their bedroom, they called the Gardai. It was a brave step but not an easy one. His brother had been taken into care and my friend, who was over 18, would now need to face his father in court. In the meantime, he had nowhere to live and none of his stuff.
He stayed on my sofa for the next three weeks. In that time he talked more openly about what he had gone through and his fears for what his actions would do to his family. I listened and tried to help in any way I could but I was still shocked that he had been going through this and I had never realised, in all the hours that I spent with him.
My friend was lucky – he was brave enough to stand up to his father and get out of the abusive situation. His brother now lives with his grandparents. My friend’s gone through a lot of horrible stuff but mainly, he says he feels relief at having escaped and helped his brother.
Now I really listen and try to ask him how he’s feeling, how he’s getting on – is everything okay?
I’d like to ask all of SpunOut.ie’s readers to do the same for their friends – just because a friend seems to be okay, it doesn’t mean that they really are. If a friend has problems at home – ask them what exactly is going on and if they need help... you never know – it might be just the question they are waiting for.
Find supportive information on escaping abuse.
By: Anonymous
This article is part of the SpunOut.ie true life stories section – a space for young people to share their experiences of tough times and encourage others to seek help. This story is just one person's experience and it may be different for you. Remember that no matter what you are going through, there is help and support available. See the Find help section for more information: http://www.spunout.ie/help/
Support organisations:
Women's Aid FREEPHONE: 1800 341 900
Web: www.womensaid.ie
The Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline offers confidential information, advice, support and understanding to women who are being physically, sexually or mentally abused in their own homes. The Helpline also acts as a referral to refugees, counselling services, solicitors, legal aid and other agencies (both statutory and voluntary), which are helpful to women experiencing abuse within a relationship.
Aoibhneas HELPLINE PHONE: 01-8670701
Provide facilities, professional help and support. The helpline offers a free professional counselling service to women and men who are suffering from violence in the home.
One In Four PHONE: 01 662 4070
One in Four offers a voice to and support for women and men who have experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual violence and also to their family and friends.
Amen PHONE: 046 23718
Provides a confidential helpline, a support service and information for male victims of domestic abuse.
