DEAR ABBY: I am a 13-year-old girl, and I'm afraid I've dug my own grave. My older sister, "Celeste," had a baby three months ago. Yesterday, she and her boyfriend got into a fight, and I saw him hit her. Celeste assured me she was going to tell our father, but I know she won't.
This morning, our stepmom manipulated me into telling her what happened. I'm afraid of what Celeste will do when she finds out I told she was hit. I'm afraid she and her boyfriend will forbid me from seeing my new niece.
What should I do, Abby? -- TEEN-AGE AUNT IN ILLINOIS
DEAR TEEN-AGE AUNT: You did nothing wrong. Tell your sister you love her and can't tolerate the thought that she would be hit again. When physical abuse is not reported, it only gets worse. By reporting the abuse, you are protecting your sister and niece. I commend you for doing the right thing.