Help for a friend

[Guest]

I have a relatively new friend (our daughters just started playing

with each other in Kindergarden this year) who just called to tell me

she spent the day yesterday in court. Her husband dragged her out of

the house by her neck and was attacking her. Fortunately the kids

were sleeping. The neighbors called the cops. She did manage to get a

year long restraining order against him. But now this mom of 4 (kids

are 5, 4, 2.5 and 1.5) must live on her own. The court could only

prove that the husband makes $500 per week-he works for his uncle and

makes at least double that but under the table-so she will only get

$350 per week to support 5 people! Has anyone else run into this. I

think (but haven’t said anything to her yet) that she should tell him

that he needs to cough up more money or she will call the IRS. Or

will this land her into trouble too as she is still married to the

jerk? We live in the NorthEast and I’m sure the rent at her place is

easily $1500 per month. She doesn’t have a degree so she would never

make enough money per hour as she would have 3 kids in daycare! I

want to help, but don’t know what to do. Any suggestions are helpful.

I know abuse happens, I’ve just never known anyone it has happened

to. Thanks.

Jennifer

[Author]

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