If child protective services is there and you say they don't do anything then there is the perfect coverup for your telling them what you know. The father will think that they are just doing their job since they have been coming there anyway. First of all, when you report something like this they don't reveal where they got the information. If you tell them that there is the chance that the father will get angry and take it out on her, they will be very careful not to let the information get back to him. You must tell them what you know, and as soon as possible. She is obviously being exposed to some bad situations. He is probably an alcholic. Just because you gave her your word does not mean that you should keep a secret that could hurt her. People who live with abuse don't realize how bad it is because they are so used to it. It always gets worse and it always does damage. Phycical damage is the least of her worries. She already thinks she deserves it. If she doesn't learn that this isn't the way people treat people they love, she will go on to pick a boyfriend and a husband that treat her the same way, because this is the only kind of love that she is used to. Then that exposes her children to abuse. It is a never ending vicious cycle. Help her break it now, while she still has a chance at a normal life. Even if they find her a foster home, at least it won't be one where there is alcohol and abuse.
