DiscoverClementine Ford's Big Sister HotlineWhat Do I Do When My Husband’s Family Protects an Abuser?
What Do I Do When My Husband’s Family Protects an Abuser?

What Do I Do When My Husband’s Family Protects an Abuser?

Update: 2025-12-09
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This week on the Big Sister Hotline, Clem talks about what happens when someone you love tells you the truth about the abuse they’ve lived through, and that the family around them refuses to see it. Our listener has learned the full story of her sister-in-law’s marriage, and now she’s sitting with anger, guilt, and the pressure to keep the peace. Clem unpacks why these situations feel so heavy, how our own history can shape our reactions, and what it looks like to stand with survivors even when it’s uncomfortable. 


Content note: This episode contains discussions of coercive control, emotional and verbal abuse, childhood trauma, and the impact of witnessing abuse within families. If you or anyone you know needs help, please contact 1800RESPECT or call 000 in an emergency.


If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email bigsisterhotline@gmail.com

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What Do I Do When My Husband’s Family Protects an Abuser?

What Do I Do When My Husband’s Family Protects an Abuser?