Legal Question in Family Law in California

Marlene, an experienced counselor, is seeing Sue for marital therapy. Their marital conflicts have increased steadily over their four-year marriage. One of their main stressors is financial; Tom has not found steady employment, but occasionally works at short-term construction jobs, while Sue works full time as a cashier at a local grocery store. Additionally, their futile attempts to start a family add to their stress. Both come from large families and the couple wants many children, but after four years, they are still childless. Sue's only pregnancy ended in a miscarriage after 3 months. Another area of concern is that Tom frequently comes home late from his construction job after stopping off at a local bar to have a few beers with his friends. At times, Tom becomes verbally abusive and has threatened to "beat" Sue, but has not done so. Sue is very committed to her faith, and confides that her pastor tells her that divorce is not an option and with "faith" things will get better in her marriage. Sue is feeling their inability to have children is a reflection on her as a woman and she is lucky that Tom "stays" with her.

One afternoon Marlene receives a frantic call from Sue. Last night, Tom became so verbally abusive that Sue really became scared he would beat her. She is calling Marlene because she needs to talk to someone. She doesn't feel that she can leave him. Sue believes she is to blame for the couple not having children, and that she deserves the abuse. Sue repeatedly asks Marlene not to tell Tom about this conversation and not to think poorly of him. She reminds Marlene that she was promised confidentiality when she first began treatment.

You are Marlene. What would you do?

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