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DH friends want to discuss me, I want to be there, AIBU (TW)

741 replies

Anon8761 · 13/07/2026 23:25

NC.

This may be outting but I don't really care at this stage. It's also late so forgive any typos and I'm sorry if I forget anything and end up drip feeding.

TW: Mentions past sexual assault.

Me and DH married 5 years together 9.
DH has a friend group who meet weekly for food or a particular hobby they all enjoy. DH met most of these friends in school, they've been friends 30 years.

I was out one evening at a social event. I saw one of these friends sat on his own. We were at a bar type place. I text DH and asked if I should invite him to join me and friends. DH said of course, he even said he was happy friend (B) was there as if I became anxious or anything, he'd have my back. Sort of 'B is one of my people.. he'll look after you!' mentality.

I have PTSD. I was spiked and raped at 17 by 2 men. So social situations in bars can be difficult at times.
I'm 33 now, but still struggle quite a bit with flashbacks and things. I've worked immensely hard with EMDR therapy to try and overcome my difficulties. So, with that in mind DH was happy B was there.

I invited B over and almost immediately he said he was surprised to see me there 'because of what happened to me (the rapes)'
I was shocked. I didn't even know he knew.

He then proceeded to tell me the whole 'inner circle knew'. That DH had told them all.
Worse still, he carried on discussing my trauma at the table, at the bar, he wouldn't stop digging.

He even asked if DH satisfied me in bed.
He asked if I enjoyed sex more before my trauma or after. (He was unaware the age I was raped. But regardless. It made me VERY uncomfortable).

The list goes on... And on..
He said 'sorry if this is making you uncomfortable' mid way through but then continued?? So I don't think he was actually sorry.

This was ALL within ear shot of my friends, whom don't know my trauma, because it's private. Ultimately he made my whole evening about the worst time of my life, ever. He made me feel it defined me again, when I've worked tirelessly.. to be me and recover.

I end up leaving the social. A few friends text me to see if I am ok after as said I looked uncomfortable.
I told DH.

DH was angry. Has told his other friends. DH wants to never see B again.
However, other friends in this stupid inner circle now want some sort of meeting with them and DH and B.
To discuss this.. issue. To 'work through it' because it will make life difficult with their meet ups.

DH said to one friend, 'but what if it was your wife? And I'd said this, you wouldn't want a discussion would you?' And he agreed but still is pushing this, 'discussion' 'incase the friendship is salvageable'.

DH still wants to cut B off, but is willing to discuss because his friends keep asking him to.
But I'm so hurt, B attended our wedding etc.. he was supposed to look out for me that night, but instead made me feel unsafe and uncomfortable.

And quite frankly, why are these men planning on sitting around to discuss this? I feel vulnerable enough now. I feel upset enough.

So, I said to DH, if they plan on discussing this, I want to be there. DH said 'but I do have your back on this.' but I've asked DH to instead invite them to our house and I will send DC to my mums, because.. I don't know, I want minimum an apology before I ask B to leave.

DH said his friends are likely worried I will make them uncomfortable. But AIBU? I don't like the idea of them sitting and discussing it, especially B.

Sorry I'm a bit heartbroken.
Thanks.

OP posts:
MinnieGirl · 14/07/2026 14:05

Alittlefrustrated · 14/07/2026 10:51

Nothing good would come from either you or DH attending such a meeting OP.
DH needs to refuse to attend, and refuse to attend future events with B.
B wiill lie. You will be seen as a hysterical female. B would enjoy this.
You can't reason with men like this.
My marriage would be over if DH attended this meeting.

I’m afraid I agree with this.
And what exactly is there to discuss? Your husband has said he will not tolerate B ever again. End of. B was pervy, creepy, and extremely offensive and he stood drinking alcohol in a public bar probing you about your rape and sex life. There is absolutely no way that would ever be forgiven, and that’s what the guys want. B to say oh I didn’t mean to upset you, and you to accept his apology. And life goes on. No way.

Of course B is going to lie. It’s the only way he can survive and stay friends with the group. He’s not going to say he was a creepy pervert who was coming into his mates wife….

Your trauma is not up for discussion with them. Neither is your sex life. And why would you tolerate such disgusting behaviour. B will never step foot in your house. Will never be invited to any event, and will be totally ignored from now on. So what if they’ve known each other for 30 years. If he was a paedophile would they defend him?

Your hubby needs to come out fighting now. He should tell them to stop gossiping about you, and give it a bloody rest. There will be no meeting and he will not socialise with B in any way and if they don’t like that, maybe they should all reflect on how they would feel if B had behaved like that with their wives….

ginasevern · 14/07/2026 13:57

XelaM · 14/07/2026 13:46

All of this. I feel like by rationalising this fucking insane situation it really diminishes THE ABSOLUTELY UNIMAGINABLE INSANITY of it. I'm totally speechless 😳

It is unimaginable insanity and some. I can hardly believe what I've read.

Brantastic · 14/07/2026 13:48

IThrewASnakeAtPalomaFaithsFace · 14/07/2026 12:57

I'm so sorry OP. What an absolute violation of your agency, privacy and boundaries all over again.

Fuck all of these awful men. Your DH included. How dare they hold council together to decide whether you're being unreasonably upset that one of them interrogated you about being raped when he wasn't even supposed to know?!

The fact that you're upset is enough. That is the thing that needs addressing. Not his feelings about it.

Now you know that they've been having a good old gossip behind your back. At worst, because it was titillating for them. At best, so they can mutually reassure and congratulate themselves that they're the good guys.

But B fucked up and said the quiet bit out loud. He has exposed himself as a complete creep and now all the group are invested in trying to row it back so they can keep feeling like they're the good guys when the truth is they've been complicit in perpetuating the violation.

Bunch of cunts. I'm furious on your behalf. I hope you went scorched earth on them in your message.

100% this. Genuinely can't believe what I'm reading, how dare they, any of them. In this situation there is absolutely no way on earth my DH would have told anyone, and if a friend of his found out somehow and behaved in the way B did he would be incandescent with rage. Sending all strength and power to you OP

XelaM · 14/07/2026 13:46

ginasevern · 14/07/2026 13:42

@Anon8761 "my friends said the 'does he satisfy you' comment was inappropriate etc"

Inappropriate! Jesus fucking Christ, this is one of the worst things I've read on Mumsnet. OP, your DH only cares about his friends not you. He also has an extremely weird almost cult like relationship with them which is pretty disturbing. Any decent man would bin the bloody lot of them off, but then he's the one that told them all in the first place. Their collective behaviour is very far from normal, trust me. I'm almost speechless, this whole thing is weird beyond all rational belief and actually very troubling. I would seriously consider your future OP. Please look after yourself.

All of this. I feel like by rationalising this fucking insane situation it really diminishes THE ABSOLUTELY UNIMAGINABLE INSANITY of it. I'm totally speechless 😳

XelaM · 14/07/2026 13:42

Well done OP 👏🏼

I'm afraid this is a group of absolutely horrible men (including your husband) and I honestly cannot picture a scenario in real life in which any men I know would want to discuss how one of their wives was raped as s teenager. It's so beyond the realms of normal that I'm afraid this is a group of perverts and I wouldn't be able to see my husband in the same light let alone forgive him.

ginasevern · 14/07/2026 13:42

@Anon8761 "my friends said the 'does he satisfy you' comment was inappropriate etc"

Inappropriate! Jesus fucking Christ, this is one of the worst things I've read on Mumsnet. OP, your DH only cares about his friends not you. He also has an extremely weird almost cult like relationship with them which is pretty disturbing. Any decent man would bin the bloody lot of them off, but then he's the one that told them all in the first place. Their collective behaviour is very far from normal, trust me. I'm almost speechless, this whole thing is weird beyond all rational belief and actually very troubling. I would seriously consider your future OP. Please look after yourself.

SummerPeonies2026 · 14/07/2026 13:36

What truly shit friends dh has, if this had happened in our circles, we would be inundated with calls and messages of support - and B would be cast out without question. The issue is the culture of the group, not just the predatory behaviour of B, this is precisely how they operate in plan sight op.

PinkyFlamingo · 14/07/2026 13:27

Please don't worry about what your DH thinks if you! None of this is your fault.

TheReflectiveQualityofGlass · 14/07/2026 13:18

And if your husband suddenly hates you then that will be VERY useful information about your marriage. Painful but very useful.

The only response from him that would reassure me that he has your wellbeing at the centre of this is full accountability, apology and full compliance with your wishes (if legal and respectful).

TheReflectiveQualityofGlass · 14/07/2026 13:16

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 11:52

I'm very anxious now. I'm not a confrontational person. I'm worried about checking my phone. Or if DH now suddenly hates me.

Trying to remind myself if this were my daughter, I'd want her to do the same.

Do you need to know how they reply?
May be out your phone away for a bit. Do something to settle your body. Putting in boundaries can feel scary because we know others might push back. But boundaries are a good thing. They honour you and protect you. You are showing yourself the respect they didn’t.

TheReflectiveQualityofGlass · 14/07/2026 13:14

Naunet · 14/07/2026 11:57

Can we stop making excuses for the DH sharing this? He told SEVEN male friends about what happened to OP, without her consent and without letting her know he'd done it. What you and other some other women are doing is enforcing the idea that yet again, a man a didn't need her consent.

Yup. 💯

The husband was wrong. He may have said it without thinking but he needs to take full accountability and have her back with this fully even if it means losing his awful friends.

TheReflectiveQualityofGlass · 14/07/2026 13:12

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 11:52

I'm very anxious now. I'm not a confrontational person. I'm worried about checking my phone. Or if DH now suddenly hates me.

Trying to remind myself if this were my daughter, I'd want her to do the same.

You are still not a confrontational person.

Unless you have insulted them/called them names etc then you are just being assertive.

As women we are told not to - to be ‘nice’ girls. Not make a fuss etc.

Imagine you are a tall, white, middle class man… still feel anxious? Or do you just accept that you have a right to privacy? A right to respect? A right to state your boundaries directly?

PS: If you have insulted them and called them babes you’ll get a cheer from me, not judgement.

Ihaveneedofwaternear · 14/07/2026 13:10

Well done, OP, you are being very brave.

BeardySchnauzer · 14/07/2026 13:06

I suspect he would get a kick out of Op having to repeat the things he said to her

almost like putting her on the stand with his mates as the jury as he denies it all

the whole thing is sick

Shinyandnew1 · 14/07/2026 13:02

I don’t really see why there needs to be a meeting or why any of the others need to be involved?

I would invite B round to your house and in front of your husband, outline all of the things he said.

Is he claiming he doesn’t remember saying them?

IThrewASnakeAtPalomaFaithsFace · 14/07/2026 12:57

I'm so sorry OP. What an absolute violation of your agency, privacy and boundaries all over again.

Fuck all of these awful men. Your DH included. How dare they hold council together to decide whether you're being unreasonably upset that one of them interrogated you about being raped when he wasn't even supposed to know?!

The fact that you're upset is enough. That is the thing that needs addressing. Not his feelings about it.

Now you know that they've been having a good old gossip behind your back. At worst, because it was titillating for them. At best, so they can mutually reassure and congratulate themselves that they're the good guys.

But B fucked up and said the quiet bit out loud. He has exposed himself as a complete creep and now all the group are invested in trying to row it back so they can keep feeling like they're the good guys when the truth is they've been complicit in perpetuating the violation.

Bunch of cunts. I'm furious on your behalf. I hope you went scorched earth on them in your message.

SylvanMoon · 14/07/2026 12:55

I wouldn't agree to meet with them in a public place as it will restrain how you might want to express your anger. I would hope your DH would agree with you and demand that either the meeting is hosted at your house or some other private venue, especially as B's offence happened in such a public place.

BuckChuckets · 14/07/2026 12:53

Oh @Anon8761 I'm so sorry. As someone with a history of trauma myself, I'd feel violated all over again, yes by the friend(s), but mainly by DH. The thought of someone who is supposed to love me sharing those details with friends for, what? Sympathy? Laughs? Titillation?? The thought makes me feel ill.

Dogladycrazy · 14/07/2026 12:51

Sending you lots of love and strength OP and so sorry you’re having to go through this 💕 xx

SalmonOnFinnCrisp · 14/07/2026 12:48

Well Done OP.
Agree strongly "shame needs to change sides"

Dont be surprised if they dont respond at all.
It wouldnt surprise me if they just crawl off to make their excuses in their own side WA groups and send message via DH that they are "sorry you feel like that"

DandelionsMakeMeSmile · 14/07/2026 12:41

I have just come across your thread and I wanted to offer you some support. I am sickened on your behalf, by everything you have been through, by your husband and his awful friends, and for how you have been so badly let down.

You must be devastated right now so sending you strength, and I wanted you to know that I see how brave you have been, and how much this has hurt you.

MissFancyDay · 14/07/2026 12:38

You have behaved IMPECCABLY Op. You've held your head high and drawn a line in the sand.

I am so sorry that you are feeling anxious, I know the feeling well. Could you just put your phone in a cupboard and go and treat yourself to a coffee or something. The fact that bastard men are making you feel like this quite frankly sickens me.

If your Dh blames you in any way he is a... I am struggling to find a word. I would also be tempted to confide in MIL if she is loving.

Icecreamisthebest · 14/07/2026 12:28

@Anon8761 sending you a handhold. You can be proud of yourself. This situation was forced upon you and you’re handling it the best way you know now. Reach out for RL support if you feel you need some. And focus on yourself. Your needs are the utmost priority here.

shhblackbag · 14/07/2026 12:24

Passingthrough123 · 14/07/2026 11:56

Why on earth would he hate you? Because you've dared to call out his friends? Honestly, he should be grovelling to you right now and begging your forgiveness. Do not let him turn this round and make it out like you've done something wrong.

All of this. He's the one who, putting it generously, fucked up entirely.

SummerPeonies2026 · 14/07/2026 12:23

Anyahyacinth · 14/07/2026 12:23

OPs daughter deserves a father who treats a rape survivor with respect and honour. Who changes the world she will grow into.

The longer I live I see (most) men use women's bodies / labour and the love they seek is from other men..hence using OP s experience as titillating currency 🤢

I agree it’s absolutely sickening

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