My dad was like this too. He was mean as a snake at home but very nice to his customers. He hit my brother and me for no reason or out of anger. He yelled and shouted derogatory comments to us. My brother had to receive stitches for a cracked skull. He also hit us with wire swatters and broom sticks. He was a sick man until one day my brother stood up to him then it all stopped. He occasionally broke things still in front of us to scare us though. My mother never protected us because she never got hit by him because she threatened to leave him if he did. So, the madman got his way until my brother did something. But, the damage was already done. My brother is verbally and emotionally abusive towards women and other people he thinks are inferior to him. And, I have severe mental illness and always am needy emotionally. I don't know what to tell you but to be able to become independent and find your own way away from your father. I am now 50 years old and can remember vividly the abuse and violence by my father. I have run away from home on occasion but realized nobody else was there for me while growing up except my dysfunctional mother who, I believe, has mental illness too, probably bipolar also but she has not been diagnosed or sought help for it. I am screwed up as a top but through really tough experiences due to bad judgment I became a person who understands and probably am now a little wiser because of my situation. I say try not to let the past dictate your present and future. I believe or not have forgiven my abusive father and mentally ill mother. I have not forgiven my brother yet because he is not smart to be as abusive as my father to others, especially me, and think he can get away with it. He knows better and so do I. I used to be twisted inside and mean too. I was really verbally and emotionally abusive until I became mentally ill and realized I had a choice in my attitude. We have choices to make. First, help yourself, then you can help others, such as your mother. I know this sounds easier said than done but I urge you to find a way to deal with your father while taking classes. Are you working? Do you have any relatives or family members who can help or intervene for you? May be you have friends too who can help? I can empathize and hope you find a solution some how. I would not call the police or make more trouble for your family. If your father is still supporting the family, then making the least amount of trouble is ideal for your family. My father despite all of his abuse was the sole breadwinner for my family. Without him, I would not have survived because my mother never worked while she was married. You can do what my brother did too, that is, to stand up against your father but my father was becoming rather old at the time- so probably not recommended. The best solution may be to spend the least amount of time at home and do all of your homework at the library at school. And, please ask other people if they can help you deal with your father, especially other family members who know your father well. If they can't, then you must think how you can protect yourself and your mother. The best solution is for you to spend the least amount of time at home. If your mother is getting physically abused too and this is leading to violence, then there is no option but to leave the madman. You don't want to risk leaving for your mother's sake but if she is in a dangerous situation, you need to find safety for you and your mother. Thus, its sounds to me he is more emotionally and verbally abusive for now. So, just spend less time at home and when he spews out his venom try not to be intimidated. One of the things my father seemed to relish is that my brother and I were intimidated by him. We were scared of him. But, when my brother stood up to him that was the end of being physically abused but the emotional and verbal abuse never ended and still to this day is apparent with my father. Thus, don't be scared of your father and don't say anything and remain silent. The best reaction to abuse is stand your ground and don't be intimidated. He may get tired of your silence and no reaction. I don't know what else to say but stay strong and persevere. All things in life are temporary. You will one day be in a different situation, hopefully, a better situation. May this day come soon for you!