My adult sister is hearing impaired and still lives with our parents. They beat her on a regular basis. Like, they'll hit her, throw things at her, slam her up against a wall. They've also thrown her against a window and broke it before. They frequently tell her that she's worthless and useless and will amount to nothing in life. Only recently have I become brave enough to talk to anyone about this, and outside of my family there are only 2 other people who know about any of this that I've told at least. It's hard for her to get any help because my parents deny everything, and we live in Small Town America where everyone knows everyone, and my parents are well liked. Nobody knows about the horrible secrets hidden in their house.

It's very hard for me to admit that my parents were possibly abusive. I mean, they're my parents, and they love their children, right? I sometimes think that I'm making everything up that has happened over the years. It didn't just stop with her either, although she certainly took the brunt of the abuse. I once had my hand broken because I used it as a shield against a blow to my head by my father's fist. I later told people that it was an accident with a hammer (even to this day I tell that as the story of why my hand aches in weather changes). I can recall many occasions of being hit- and not just the typical "slap on the butt" with a paddle, but actual malicious hitting. There was also the belittling, the threats, the blows to self esteem, and the controlling.

The hard part is, I'm now an adult and I'm ready to start my own life. I have a degree, a full time job, and I live away from them. I don't know what to do about my sister. I don't want to talk to them because I'm so disgusted by what they're doing. The whole situation has me feeling guilty and heartbroken and I don't know what to do. I know I need to get my sister help, but I have no idea how or where. I also think I probably need to get myself help, because I don't want all this coming between my husband and I.

Do any of you have help/advice?