serious injury domestic violence

My friend was beat up by her ex husband about 6 weeks ago. He fractured her skull and broke her nose. She's had about $25000 worth of surgery. She told the police that her ex husband did it, told them where he was and she also told them that he is planning to move out of the country. He has still not been charged with anything. When we asked the police why, they said it was taking longer because the officer had filed a "long" form instead of a "short" form. I don't know what that means.
The ex husband is moving to Australia in a couple of days. What can she do to get the police to charge him? She's called several times and nothing is happening. If he gets away can she sue the police department to pay for her surgery?

That really makes no sense--call the chief of the department and have the guy arrested if he really did those things. Call the newspaper too if you have to. We could also intervene. Let us know what happens.