I am a 24-year-old female and I have a big problem that I wish you could help me with. I have a boyfriend and we have been together for the past four years and nine months. During the first four months, everything was ok until he started dating other women and he would tell me about it and on numerous occasions he would beat me up when I tried to leave him.

It is always ok for him to talk about them and I must not say anything. He is still doing it and I can't leave because he is the only person I have to talk to. This is really killing me and I don't know what to do. He keeps telling me that he loves me and tells all his friends and family about me, but at the end of the day he doesn't even respect me because he has his woman calling him all the time. It doesn't matter what we are doing, it is just like I am not there. This is not even half of what I am going through.

Pastor, I am asking you just to give me your fatherly advice on what to do or what step to take. I try not to depend on him for anything. I am not working, but I attended evening classes.

S.C., St. Andrew, Jamaica

Dear S.C.,

This man has no right to beat you and the next time he does, you should report him to the police immediately. The police should arrest him and put him in jail. Some of these guys are just feisty and out of order and poor you, you believe that he is the only person who would talk to you.

How sad, you have low self-esteem. That is why you believe that you wouldn't have anybody to talk to you. You should think highly of yourself and you should not give this man the idea that he can do whatever he wants with you.

Can you imagine if this guy was married to you? He is not a good guy and he has no respect for you. That's why he tells you about his other women and does not expect you to show your displeasure. I repeat, if he hits you again, report him to the police immediately.

Pastor