My four year old alleges our new nanny called him, “stupid” and hit him. He is generally a reliable narrator, but he is only four. How do I find out for sure? Apologies in advance for the copious details inside. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 3, 2009 - 57 answers

I recently discovered my brother was sexually abusing my sister and how the hell do I deal with this over Thanksgiving weekend? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 25, 2009 - 38 answers

How does an adult find a lawyer to sue an abusive step-parent more than a decade after the fact? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 15, 2009 - 7 answers

I have moved back to my home town after about ten years. Throughout those years, an ex-boyfriend has been slandering me to old friends, colleagues, etc. I haven’t been in touch with a lot of these people and simply didn’t want to talk about the situation, so I didn’t. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Oct 4, 2009 - 14 answers

I have a traumatic past and a partner who wants to be supportive, but I don't know how to ask for support! [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 12, 2009 - 14 answers

How can I tell if my friend's fiance is an abuser and if he is, what can I do to help her realize she needs to leave him? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 11, 2009 - 29 answers

Facebook's forcing me to deal with a family rift. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 13, 2009 - 22 answers

I'm a 27 year old female dealing with PTSD from extreme childhood abuse and psychoanalysis is not working. I've read previous AskMe questions, but would like more feedback from people who have had EMDR therapy. I'm also wondering if anyone has any advice on mild dissociation. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 30, 2009 - 19 answers

Sexual abuse and a hatred of therapy – what now? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 3, 2009 - 43 answers

How should I deal with my Alzheimer's father? I have had problems with my father going back ages. He has been verbally, emotionally, and physically abusive to not only me, but my sibling and mother as well. I had almost convinced my mom to leave him when he got Alzheimer's, and now we're stuck caring for him. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 20, 2009 - 18 answers

Should I tell my boyfriend about past abuse? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 9, 2009 - 24 answers

I came home unexpectedly yesterday to discover my fiance kicking our beloved dog. I am not sure how to proceed. Please help. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 18, 2009 - 107 answers

I may have been abused as a child, but I'll never know for sure. How can I stop worrying about it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 - 21 answers

My sister was molested, and the authorities haven't done a thing. Is there anything I can do to move this along? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 31, 2009 - 18 answers

How do I respond to a physical threat from my supervisor? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 21, 2008 - 27 answers

Do (physically) abusive people ever change their ways? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 15, 2008 - 45 answers

It's taking me a really really long time to get over an abusive relationship. I keep thinking I've made huges strides and then I realize how far from normal my feelings and behaviour are. I know it's a matter of healing but I could do with advice on helping it along. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 11, 2008 - 17 answers

My past experiences are coloring my perception of the present, my personal life is crashing into my professional life, help me make it stop. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 - 17 answers

How do I stop being controlling towards my husband? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 3, 2008 - 24 answers

Messy housing situation, tenant is manipulating landlord's poor English skills and profiting. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 17, 2008 - 8 answers

Does anyone here have any experience with nominations for conservatorship in the state of California, either as a potential conservator, an attorney, social worker, psychiatrist or anyone else who plays a role in the process? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 16, 2008 - 2 answers

Last night, a close friend of ours was the victim of a domestic dispute. Her live-in boyfriend became convinced of infidelity in the relationship (a relationship that was headed to the dumps anyway), came back to their apartment, violently pulled her off of the couch screamed at her and repeatedly punched her in the stomach. Police were called, no charges filed (Red flags here). Now she and the daughter are staying with us, but are afraid to return home. Where do we go from here? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 15, 2008 - 10 answers

Some of the disciplinary acts I endured as a child and teenager have spilled over into my adult sex life. Is this a healthy thing to encourage, or should I avoid these acts altogether? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Aug 31, 2008 - 16 answers

My friend has just confided that her new husband is often verbally abusive, and occasionally physically abusive. I honestly don't know how to help. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 1, 2008 - 35 answers

TraumaFilter: what worked for you in overcoming PTSD, anxiety, depression? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 23, 2008 - 23 answers

Scary roommate situation. I want to leave and I'm trying to figure out if I have any way of getting my money back, which I really need to help me get another room. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 5, 2008 - 32 answers

I'm worried that my male friend might be in some sort of abusive relationship. He's my best friend and seems to have been in a "spend all time with new GF and not call or visit friends" mode for 3 months, and we are all far past the teenage years. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 22, 2008 - 16 answers

Domestic violence filter : Please help me to cope with my abusive und violent brother. My twin brother gains satisfaction from ruining my life. What shall I do? (lengthy explanation) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 30, 2007 - 38 answers

Help me sort out my feelings about the relationship I’m in because I just can’t seem to figure it out. (long and complicated - sorry!) [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Dec 25, 2007 - 23 answers

FamilyCrapFilter: Please help- What to do with abusive, intrusive, stalking mother who shows up on my doorstep? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 2, 2007 - 39 answers

My stepfather abused my sister a few weeks ago. She walked out of the house, but then reconciled a week later. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 21, 2007 - 43 answers

A few months ago, my sister disclosed to my family that she was molested as a child by an aide to a former baby sitter. We would like to help her but we have no idea how to proceed from here. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 12, 2007 - 7 answers

How to grow a spine. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 8, 2007 - 43 answers

How-I-Spent-My-Xmas-Holiday-Filter: Please help me get my head straight in light of family sexual abuse revelations. This is a long one. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jan 3, 2007 - 12 answers

My significant other revealed to me that he was sexually abused as a little boy by a friend of his, who was also a boy. The incident, without describing it in detail, was one of sexual humiliation. The shame and suffering he now feels is immense and has carried over into other areas of his life, including his relationships. He told me what had happenned because I knew something was wrong and pressed him. We are now college-age (and in college too) and he had never told anyone before me. I have said to him that many other people have been sexually abused and have learned to accept their past, but I have said this without knowing if it's really true. Because of the problems caused by the event and other events that followed, I have broken up with him but am serious about being with him after he takes care of himself in therapy. Does anyone have insight on the possibility of moving forward after such a traumatizing event?
posted by anonymous on Sep 22, 2006 - 21 answers

Will I ever be able to stop thinking that I am evil? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 10, 2006 - 31 answers

I've been going out with my partner for almost 5 years, about 2 1/2 years ago she told me she'd been sexually abused as a child. I've supported her through her counselling and depression ever since, ironically she wouldn't have been able to unpack a lot of her issues without the safe enviroment I've provided for her for the first time. I'm in counselling myself, my partner pursuaded me that I needed some help to keep myself standing, and it has really helped. But I'm starting to loose hope that things are ever going to be better again. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Mar 4, 2006 - 8 answers

Give me some insight into College Admissions and Financial Aid. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 23, 2006 - 27 answers

Need help in choosing a psychologist. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 2, 2005 - 13 answers

How do you best support a survivor of childhood abuse? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jul 24, 2005 - 17 answers

I was raised by an abusive father. Now in my early 30's I am looking ahead to the future when I may become a father. I am determined not to recreate the family environment I grew up in but know how these things sometimes turn out -- that people determined not to recreate something sometimes wind up doing so in an unforseen manner. I was in therapy for 2 years in my 20's to work on the issues but therapy is not an option now because of money. I have worked hard not to be my father, but part of me is afraid that I will wind up being like him as a parent. (In particular, I worry about being a father to a son because of my history). I am looking for information about the father-son relationship as well as information about how to be a good parent when you have a background like mine. Please offer advice, books, suggestions - anything that can help.
posted by anonymous on Feb 13, 2005 - 16 answers