Dear Dearest,

Dear Dearest, 

I found myself in a domestically violent situation. My partner, my ride or die, my pencil (I was his sharpener), has completely loss control of his apparent drug addiction. He has hidden this from me for the two years we have been together. Before this time he never hit me let alone raise his voice at me but now it’s common for him to push and shove, even punching me in the head. And the verbal abuse is off the charts. We have a home and car together and he has gone as far as to hide the car keys so I can’t leave. I didn’t think the abuse was serious enough to get the police involved until he went too far. I called the police and got a restraining served on him. They served him and put him right out of the home. They later arrested him for coming back after cursing me out. He calls me which is a violation to the order saying he is on the streets with nowhere to go. I’ve sent him money for a room but days later he is back to the same crying about being homeless. My question is should I drop the restraining order and just leave him and everything we built? I love this man but I’m about to loose my mind. He refuses to get help. This is not the man I’ve known.  #livingwithastranger

Dear Living With A Stranger, 

I am praying for your safety.  Let my answer to you be clear and concise. Keep that restraining order in place, pack your bags, sell or rent out that home and rebuild. You can’t help someone that doesn’t want help and once they put hands on you they have shown who they are. Block all correspondence. Law enforcement can’t keep you safe if you still continue to deal with him and he doesn’t deserve your money. I’m not saying it will be easy. Find you a good counselor you are going to need it. Lastly pray. God is always with you. 
National Domestic Violence Hotline 800.799.SAFE