Abusive Relationships

What does one do when someone they care about is in an abusive relationship? I ASK this question because not many people know how to handle it. I personally kinda handled it improperly once before and ended up being hated for it in the end. Sad but true the lifeof a protector is a hard one. So what would you do? how would you handle it? Also what if it was your ex?

Well it was more so an altercation caused by me moving on instinct when a former friend's boyfriend decided it was a good idea to smack her around in front of me.

well its sad, but usually when someone steps in the middle and tries to help, you end up being the bad person by both ppl and end up being hated in the end! ( in most cases) she'll have to get out and not put up with that on her own, and if it's really bad then self defend herself! But im sorry you had to go through that and all!

If the guy hits her in front of you, you beat the shit out of him. Whats the question? If one of my friends hits his girlfriend in front of me. The fact that hes my friend goes out the window. Hes getting his ass beat. If its your ex stay out of it unless she comes to you for help. Or you will end up getting fcked in the end. Girls are stupid for staying in an abusive relationship. Just leave or ask a friend for help. They make it way more complicated in their head and stay. Only thing thats going to cause is long term damage and trust issues. Other than the injuries to the body. Even if you come off as a bad guy, I'd rather be that than someone who watched a person get hurt and didnt move to help.