DEAR ABBY: My mother has been living with this guy for seven years. We don't live with her, but when we visit, he mentally and emotionally abuses her. Yesterday he cussed me and my brother out, and threatened to beat us up.
My mother wants to leave but she can't. I know it's none of my business because I am only 13, but my brother and I want her to get out. We don't like this guy and don't want to see him anymore. I have told my mother this. She says she'll leave, but she never does! What should I do? I need help to get her to leave this guy because mental abuse leaves a scar on your life that causes you to hate and fear others. -- MICHAEL IN NASHVILLE, TENN.
DEAR MICHAEL: For someone 13, you are very world-wise. I respect that you want to help your mother get away. However, that will take not only careful planning, but a strong desire on her part -- and I'm not sure your mother really wants to go.
Are her parents still living? If they are, tell them what you have told me. Does she have sisters and brothers? Tell them, too. If she has no one, give her the number of the National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (� HYPERLINK "http://www.hndvh.org" ��www.ndvh.org�). When she's ready, they can help her make a plan for leaving. But no one can do this for her. Ultimately, this is something your mother must do for herself.