I tell you.. Each lawyer I spoke to asked me, "Did your spouse ever threaten you, do you feel at risk?" It was almost a golden ring dangled where I knew I could get an unfair advantage making a complaint.
The funny thing is, several years before I had felt very threatened by him. Looking in his eyes and knowing that there was a distinct possibility that he might hit me. I remember saying, "If you ever hit me, I'm out the door." And it was very weird to feel that sensation, even though it was never acted on, except in his sleep when he'd whack me if I cuddled close. I mean, with oomph. Needless to say, I stayed on my side of the bed, alone.
Your friend should probably find out from his lawyer how to protect himself.
Looking back at it now, I made so many excuses, or accepted his (I'm sensitive to touch, I don't like to be touched.) Sheesh.
