Thanks for all your responses - really appreciated.

A bit upset with some of Envision's post. My male friend is a very good friend of 20 years. If I said that i did not want it to go further, my friend would stop as he has respect for me. I also DO understand why my boyfriend is unhappy with me going out with him (tonight), the reason being is that he does not know him and is not sure of his incentives. This is understandable, however he should have asked me not to go out with him.... and we could have worked around it. I need all my good support network around me at this time, not to have a moan at them, but just keep me happy as its been hard this week.

I will give my boyfriend one more chance as its the first time i have actually spoke to him seriously about the situation and he seems to have taken it on board... If he should cause me any pain again, physically, or decide to become emotionally or verbally abusive to me, please believe me, i will not stay with him. He needs help, I know. He's had an abusive past. I am no therapist but I can help him in the right direction, I hope... He really does seem to like me and he knows, as of this week, that its over if he punches me again. This time I am prepared for it unlike other times, and will try and control the situation and protect myself. 99.9% he is a good person. I have to believe in this and him.