Re: What to expect?

Don't just get away from a batterer, but, if you are in a civil union (or, married) with this person, SEVER THE LEGAL TIES!!!!  If you have "religious" issues with regard to divorce, GET OVER IT!  God, Jehovah, Gai'ia, Budda, or whatever you call your Higher Power did NOT intend that a union between human beings be based upon torture, deception, damage, humiliation, degradation, dehumanization, objectification, etc.........

Do whatever you can to help get the children out of the environment, as well.  As for "rescuing" or "saving" your children, it may or may not happen over the long-term.  Certainly, removing from the abusive environment will not only relieve the unspeakable stress that they are burdened with (mommy gets beaten, daddy gets tickled, and we're supposed to pretend that everything's just dandy), but they will also learn (by YOUR example) that women do not have to submit to abuse and violence - they have the ability to choose their own paths, with or without a partner.  Now, what they will do with that information as they grow up will be their own choices, but, at the very least, you will have provided them with options upon which they can base their own decisions.

Bless you and keep posting!