Yesterday my sister threatened to tell Facebook I have a mental illness.

She physically attacked me a month ago and I have not been able to afford to move out but I've not spoken to her since and because I recently started a new job I am not home most of the day and never alone with her.

Yesterday a friend of hers came to our apartment bleeding profusely after a bout with her mom. My mom patched my sister's friend up and listened as the friend exclaimed "my mom is not like you, she's a failure. She told me she hates me. She has never been there for me like you are for your kids." My mom replied " you don't know how I am with my kids." I chimed in and said " yeah, you don't know my mom." My intention was to let the friend know that all families have something and that she is not alone.

The friend left to go talk to a relative about the incident and then my sister came out of the room yelling " you embarrassed mom by saying my friend doesn't know her [implying that mom is a bad mom too]. I told my sister that if she got any closer to me I would call the cops.

My mom intervened on my sister's behalf and said i should move to where I would be happy. This as I pay her rent because she is unemployed - as is my sister.

Towards the end of her rant my sister said " you have a mental illness and I'm going to tell people you've been lying about it."

I felt fearful after that remark because she posts about me on Facebook and I work in a reputation based industry.

I want to get a restraining order but we live in the same place and I truly cannot afford even a room. I don't know what to do.

Any advice would help me, greatly.