DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, I broke up with a guy who was emotionally and sexually abusive. We had been seeing each other for eight months. We weren't living together, but I still was scared to break up with him because of what he might do to me. He would often call me bad names if I disagreed with what he wanted to do, and have angry outbursts during which he would throw things.
I have looked up how to safely exit an abusive relationship, but everything I find deals with what to do if you are living with the abuser. They don't teach us in high school how to safely drop an abuser; they just tell us to drop him. How do you safely break up with an abuser when moving to the other side of the country is impractical? -- RECOVERING IN THE USA
DEAR RECOVERING: Here is what I recommend: If you have mutual friends, tell them why you ended the relationship with him. In addition, stop going places where you know he hangs out.
If he continues to call you, tell him to stop and hang up. Then screen your calls. If he emails, delete his messages without looking at them. However, if he follows or continues to pursue you, make a police report.