A friend of mine was in a DV relationship for about 4 years. It was tough cos we both knew it wasn't right, but she wasn't ready to leave yet. And she didn't have kids to consider. I just kept our friendship open, even when i didn't agree with her decisions, cos i knew one day she would be ready and at thay time she would need friends to get her through. Other friends found it much harder to keep the relationship up, when it just didn't make sense to them.

Hope your mate can find her way out safely.