Hi there... lurker here, and occasional poster...

Right... more whiny relationship rubbish up ahead, so I'll get it over and done with.

There's a girl... still with me? Right, there's a girl, and I've fully established that we like each other. She's told me she likes me. But the problem is that she's been in a couple abusive relationships in the past and is struggling to trust me enough to let herself be vulnerable, since it's been broken enough times before.

I am a patient man, but a part of me would like to know that what we have will lead to something. I've made it clear that she can take as much time as she needs/wants, but I wonder how long is too long...

Do I wait? Do I just try to stay friends and help work with her on her problems? Do I bail? Do I do something else entirely?

Thanks...

Honestly, I would probably recommend you move on. It sounds like what she needs right now is a friend more than a boyfriend. It might not sound like the best proposition at first, but it might be better to just be her friend. Remember, we all need a friend of the opposite gender to remind us not to give up on them entirely.

At the very least, give her some space. She must be going through a lot at the moment, and the last thing she needs is someone pressuring her to go out with them.

Be there for her, and wait as long as it takes. You like each other, and she seems like she wants to trust you, so make it easier for her by not putting any pressure on her. It may lead to something, and it may not, but the only way you'll find out is by waiting around and helping her through what she's going through.

As said above, be a friend first before a lover. Can't really give any real advice based on what you've said, but (not trying to sound demeaning) going to someone IRL for advice should be a first course of action.