it's been said, but i think that the important thing is to help with self esteem, even if you can't figure out anythign to do. give compliments (real ones), smile, positive feedback, etc. And provide info. one of my good friends in high school's stepdad was nuts and abusive (and i mean crazy, but thats a detail), and we let the daugter stay at our house and gev her numbers to give to her mom for shelters. those are the authorities you want to call - police can do nothing unless she presses charges or they catch him in the act. reiterating: do what you must, but support her above all.