Reply #24: I'm sorry for what your friend is going through [View All]

[Susang]

And you (and obviously your friend and her family) must be in immense pain. But try to realize that it is a cycle that usually involves severe mental illness. Yes, the people who enact the abuse must be punished. They also must be treated along with the victims to ensure that the cycle is continued.

There was severe abuse in my family, as well as my husband's, it's one of the reasons we decided not to have children ourselves. I have seen the abused become the abuser, and it's a horrible thing to experience. Until this country's mental health system is overhauled, all of the people involved will not get the help that they need and deserve.

I'll be thinking of you, your friend and her family in the coming week. Keep us posted on how she, and how you are doing.