Is my friend a good candidate for a women's shelter?

She shouldn't leave, she should kick him out. Legally she can, and keep the house or whatever, and make him pay her divorce fees and alimony. Also, just because he says he deserves better does NOT mean he'll just move on, usually that means they try harder to keep the woman. They demean her so she thinks she can't find anyone else, but really the opposite is true: the man doesn't have good self esteem. There should be a woman's shelter or other resources in her area to offer advice and counseling. She can also try the courthouse for information.