No, there are no children. Newlyweds, as I said. Also, the families are all far away, and neither has many roots in the area--a very isolated situation. As I said, we have tried to bring her into our social circle, but cancels often at the last minute, or just doesn't show.

I have taken some steps--there is an organization that works with victims and potential victims of abuse, and I am making arrangements for a sideways "professional" connection, sort of the way Kevin suggested above, she'll get to see what they offer, ostensibly as a resource for her professional use--so she can learn about all of her options without having to admit anything. They'll know in advance that she has a problem, of course--we'll see what happens.

SharonA, your story is a painful and disturbing one--we are all torn between a fear of doing the wrong thing, and a fear of doing nothing--

As to the other couple, she never made it to the shelter. He got her back with a cheap trick--he got drunk (or maybe just drunker) and rammed his car into a wall as she was leaving the apartment, and she sat by him in the hospital for weeks while he recovered--we just heard that they are still together, but she never sees any of her old friends--