Its awful really that men get a bad press where domestic violence if concerned, I have myself just been involved with a new man in my life - its early days but he has been opening up and talking with me about his situation with his ex girlfriend, she was very volatile and used to beat him up on a daily basis, and he retaliated, he broke her arm, but its provocation, everyone blames him - he is the nasty one, but no one bothers to listen the both sides which is very sad, people are too quick to judge IMHO. Then again drink isnt helping in this situation either, it can bring out the worst in people. As she is a friend of yours - she needs your help and support to seek counselling - she has a BIG problem here which will get worse...