October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and part of prevention is knowing how to respond when someone tells you what's happening at home.
Listen without blaming them or asking why they've stayed. Leaving an abusive relationship can be difficult and dangerous. What may look simple to you...isn't. It never is. For the victim, it involves fears and risks you don't know and they likely can't fully explain. The point of domestic violence isn't really violence. It's control. And the person committing the abuse is responsible for it, not the person trying to get through it.
Domestic violence often isolates people from the very ones who could help them. If you're worried about someone, stay in touch in a way that's safe for them. Ask what they need rather than deciding for them. Offer to help them talk with an advocate about their options and a safety plan. Keep offering support even if they stay or return.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, Georgia's domestic violence hotline is 1-800-33-HAVEN, or 1-800-334-2836. You can call if you need to talk. If you're in immediate danger, call 911.