My girlfriend is being abused by her dad.

I'm a boy I'm 17 years old and i live in Netherlands with my mom. I have a girlfriend she is 16 and she lives in England. I have known her for almost 3 years and we have been together for 2 years. My girlfriend lives with her dad and sister. I'm really worried about her, When she forgets to do something like washing up or closing the window her dad abuses her. He beats her up he pulls her hair and he leaves bruises and scratches on her body. Since she told me this i got really worried and i just dont know what to do.She said that i shouldnt worry and that it doesnt matter that she gets beaten up since her dad has been abusing her since she was 7 and that she got used to it.In my opinion her dad sholdnt even have ideas about beating her up its so horrible what he does to her i told her to call the cops because her dad cant just do that to her. She said she couldnt call the cops and she doesnt want me to call them either because she needs a place to stay and she doesnt want to go to a faster home or something like that. I told her that if she could go to Netherlands that she could stay at my house for how long she wanted to but its really hard for us both since she is in england and iam in Netherland and my mom doesnt have a car. The only way for me and her to communicate is texting or calling but her dad always takes her phone when he gets mad. I dont know what to do and iam just really woried.

In a perfect world you would call the cops she would be placed in a loving environment and she would grow and enjoy life. Although that sometimes does happen sometimes the results of intervention are often less than optimum.

Over the years this abuse has been observed by neighbours her extended family etc and no one has stepped in to do what needed to be done. So I think calling the cops may get her dad a wrap on the knuckles and make life worse for her as he will be sent home after being told "don't do it again". Do you think he will be happy ??

She sounds emotionally very strong.

Can you do anything. Absolutely. You can support her in the way with which she copes. It may hurt you that you at this stage you can do no more, but she needs to finish school, so encourage her about her future, that life will be so much better when she is free of him. That support and encouragement may not sound like much but it is huge to have a friend who can show they care about you.

I wish you both luck, .. take care.

I think that you should do something. The reason so many bad things happen, even death, is because people decide to not do anything. He can do something really bad to her and you will not forgive yourself never the fact that you didn't do anything. But before you take steps, talk with your mother and she will talk with people who deal with such situations.

This is a really, really tough situation. It sounds like your girlfriend
is coping. Is the abuse escalating (getting worse) or not so bad as she
gets older?

You can be a source of comfort and support for her, but whether you can
rescue her... I don't know. I tend to agree with Terri, unless it's getting worse
and endangering her life.