She is trapped in an abusive marriage

My daughter married an Australian man, moved out there and had a baby girl almost immediately. I went to visit them after she was born to help out. He was difficult, alarmingly rude and hostile – I felt I was treading on eggshells. They now have a second child. My daughter hates her life. He bullies her constantly, calls her names, tells her that she is bipolar and stops her from contacting her friends. When he drinks he turns into even more of a monster. My daughter feels she is in a nightmare – she wants to leave him and return home. How can I help her to get out of this awful situation? This is such a distressing situation for you, your daughter and your grandchildren. It is good that she wants to leave, as women can often be so intimidated by controlling and abusive men that it is difficult for them to find the courage. She will need help. Her husband sounds frightening when he drinks and if she feels as though she is in immediate danger, she should call the emergency service (000). She can also access 24-hour counselling with the Australian counselling organisation 1800RESPECT (1800respect.org.au, 1800 737732). The Department of Human Services (humanservices.gov.au) can provide support and help her find the legal advice that she needs. If she takes the children back home without the father’s permission, he can apply to have them returned and the case would be settled in the family court of Australia. If you can afford it, fly out and help her with the legal problems. She will need your support if she is to come back home with the children.