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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be hurt that my brother won't take my side

55 replies

estrogone · 01/03/2026 12:22

We were raised in a home with an unstable, alcoholic mother, lots of domestic violence, suicide attempts. I was subject to some physical abuse from my father and an enormous barrage of verbal and emotional abuse from my drunk mother. I was SA as a 6 year old on one of their benders by the teenage daughter of one of their friends. I told them about this year's later and they ignored me, later welcoming that person into their home.

I bore the brunt. So I am not in contact with my parents. My brother just pretends nothing is wrong. He goes about his business as if it was all normal. AIBU to feel hurt that he has never had the balls to call this out? I dont expect him to go NC or even say anything to my parents at all, but he could at least acknowledge it to me. I know he knows. He told me once in a single sentence, that he remembers.

I haven't said anything to him, but this is starting to burn a hole in my brain. I feel hurt and irrational. It feels like he is taking sides just by his lack of anything. I tried talking him about it and ever since he has been distant.

EDIT to fix autocorrect.

OP posts:
ItsOnlyHobnobs · 01/03/2026 12:40

It’s not unusual to feel the way you do.

Your brother was also a victim, and is making his own choices for how best to cope with that.

estrogone · 01/03/2026 12:40

He is four years younger. I don't recall him being hit or screamed at. It really was me that copped it. I was vocal when my Dad hit my mum, he never ever said a word.

OP posts:
nomas · 01/03/2026 12:38

I’m really sorry that happened to you. Your parents are utter scum, it’s good you are NC with them.

But your brother is also probably traumatised from childhood and his way of coping with it is likely to pretend everything is fine.

Don’t transfer your anger to him, he didn’t abuse you.

Take a step back from him and focus on getting therapy for yourself Flowers

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/03/2026 12:37

How much older than you is he? Isn’t it probably that as he was also a child he also suffered the abuse? Could be sexual abuse as well for all you no

estrogone · 01/03/2026 12:37

There must be somebody with an opinion on this?

OP posts:
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