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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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To go to the police

172 replies

toomuchshit · 25/06/2017 19:19

As some of you may know I posted last week when a neighbour wouldn't take no for an answer. I've told a couple of people I class as friends (or did) what happened and have had mixed responses.

Im now less raw than I was and now im questioning myself on whether i'm over reacting or not.

I am going to post exactly what has happened and I will read all responses. If people post negatively please dont report it because i need to see all the opinions because in the RW I wont be able to just delete it.

He started messaging me on facebook as neighbours. Just general chat. He would help with my garden because it was just me and I wasnt able to do it. I always offered to pay or id by him cigarette or a few drinks. His parner obviously know about this. He would help with heavy lifting and stuff I needed help with.
I met somebody and he stopped messaging and obviously I didn't need help with stuff anymore.

Once that relationship ended he started messaging me again and said if I ever fancied a chat he was normally out the back. He told me my ex would regret it and would soon realise him mistake because I was so nice. He started messaging just general stuff like asking how i was and what i was doing.
I started a new relationship but he wasn't at mine much so he went back to helping me out with stuff.
He then started joking about coming in for wine and little inuendos. Like if you get too warm ill come help cool you down. Then he asked me not to tell his partner we were talking. At that point I said there was nothing to tell. He said she just would be pissed off because he was messaging nice ladies.

Then he started pushing the chat a bit. I would tell him to behave and he would say hes just messing about and he didn't mean anything by it.
He kept saying he liked it when I was out because it made his day if he saw me. I let him know that my boyfriend really wouldn't be impressed if he knew the way he was talking to me He just said he was offering to "help out when he wasn't about". I said no thanks and I was happy the way it was.
He persisted some more and every time i called him on it i ended up feeling like i had misread it and he was just joking.
He then started asking for a pic without my top on. I said no repeatedly.
He found out my relationship had ended. I wasn't in a good place and to be honest I was drinking more than I should have been. He ended up sending me a dick pic after i told him not to. I told him there was only 1 dick i was interested in doing anything with and I wouldnt do anything that would risk myself and xdp getting back together.
Then 1 night I flirted back and stupidly sent a picture (i dont even remember doing it but it was clear i must have because it was on my phone). I told him I shouldnt have sent it ad I didnt want to do anything. He told me he thought I was perfect and that he would wait for me my response was just lol.
He said he wouldn't force me and he was happy just being friends. I was ok with that. I asked him for some tips on driving because i was going for my first lesson and he said once he got his son to bed he would help me out. It got late so I had a few drinks. He messaged me to tell me he was out the back and asked if i fancied going out and having a drink. I said ok, it was a nice hot night and I only had the 1 bottle left. We stood outside and spoke for a while. Every now and again he asked me to flash him. I repeatedly said no. He was in his garden and I was in mine. There's a communal path separating them so i wasn't that concerned. Just as I had said I was going to head in he climbed the gate and said he would take my bottle to the bin but he said for me to wait a sec till he got back. When he got back he pulled my top out and looked down it then he kissed me. I just froze and couldnt do anything. He was close now and i was scared because I know that no doesn't work i had said it so many times and he hadnt listened. He said to go into the kitchen and I kept saying no. He said the only way ill let you get to bed is if you let me in so I can have a feel. He said it in a jokey way but I was scared so I let him in. He took my top off and groped and kissed my breasts. He put my hand down his trousers and used it to wank with.
There was a noise upstairs and I said it will be the kids needing the toilet. He left and I haven't had a message since

OP posts:
deffoncforthis · 27/06/2017 00:10

Fuck, this reminds me of my old neighbour. Almost tempted to ask if it's the same man, but too many details would out me.

When you say NO, that's it, end of story. It's not Saudi Arabia or something, you are not to blame if someone steps past that NO and does what they like. YANBU.

SomewhatNewToThis · 27/06/2017 02:03

The victim blaming here is disgusting.

No matter what her prior responses to this man were, NO MEANS NO.

OP says she said no several times. There was alcohol involved. He has coerced her. She felt afraid and pushed into doing something she didn't have to do.

OP, going to the police is your decision. I'm not sure what the outcome would be, but maybe you could seek some free legal advice? At the end of the day, even reporting it would be a good idea- it would get what he has done down on record. If he can do it to you, he can do it again.

What you've been through is terrible. I'm so sorry. Also, you are not pathetic or weak. A man took advantage of you, when you were in a very vulnerable position. I can't imagine how you must have felt, but you are not to blame.

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 02:24

Of course you should go to the police.

How do you know he hasnt done this previously?

If he has a record of it action will be taken if he does it again.

You have done nothing wrong. He assaulted you. People telling you not to go to police are minimising this.

GinSwigmore · 27/06/2017 03:14

FB messaging as neighbours/doing oddjobs for you with his partner's knowledge: not a threat
Consoling about ex/asking about welfare: not a threat
Innuendos he does not want his wife to know of: alarm bells
Pushing boundaries under guise of jokes: red flag
Asking for naked photos: threat
Sending unsolicited shot of his penis: threat
Saying he won't force you into anything: he's telling you who he is
Exposing your breasts and touching you without consent: assault
Using your hand to wank with: assault

The glory of hindsight: you can see the pattern of him pushing his luck and riding roughshod over boundaries.

Personally I would move house. I would block. I would get counselling.
In terms of what he has in his defence (there isn't one)
You were good friends.
You did not tell his wife he was harassing you.
You sent him a picture of your breasts.
You were amused when he said he would wait for you.
You made contact with him on the night in question.
You had a drink with him.
You did not shout for help.
You waited for him when you had a chance to run.
You allowed him into your home.

Do I think any of the above changes the fact he assaulted you?
Hell no.
But with it being your word against his, I think the bastard will walk.
I don't think the CPS will prosecute.
So yes, you will be slandered. You may be at risk from reprisals.
Your child may be dragged into this.
None of that is reason not to report but you need to protect yourself first and foremost. I wish you luck. And I'm truly sorry this happened to you.

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 03:38

You think he will walk.

Ah just drop it then Hmm

Glad not everyone thinks like this.

Hope OP has a little more determination than this.

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 03:39

She certainly shouldn't have to move house.

GinSwigmore · 27/06/2017 03:51

Oh and to be clear you would not be being unreasonable to report it.
I need to try
^ this has stuck with me. If you feel that it will help you then you should go. But what you must do is a plan to keep you safe in the meantime before you can move.

  1. Block the guy, do not have any further communication.
  2. Log any attempted communication his side.
  3. Do not open the door to the guy (chain/peephole). Do not be on your own with him. Avoid being in your garden at night.
  4. If you can stay elsewhere/with a friend in the interim then do.
  5. Invest in a rape alarm/pepper spray.
  6. If he forces his way into your drive or you bump into him say:
I want you to go. What you did was non-consensual. Leave me the fuck alone.
  1. Always have a charged phone in your hand so you can call 999 at a moment's notice.
  2. Believe in yourself. I believe you. Flowers
GinSwigmore · 27/06/2017 04:01

finally
She does not want to report it until she is out the area/has moved house. She is next door to someone who won't take No for an answer and is still on her frigging doorstep. With a scary wife she finds intimidating. And little friend or familial support. One thing is clear: she needs to get as far away from there as fucking possible as soon as possible with a council swap.
And no, him walking is not a reason not to pursue but having been through a not proven case already, the OP needs to be aware that the CPS might not touch it and she still has all the fall out to deal with regardless. I would want that warning particularly if the family are as confrontational as described so I could make an informed decision on what keeps me and my child safe.

Idratherbeaunicorn · 27/06/2017 04:24

I'm sorry but all these comments about "mixed messages" etc are complete BS and IMHO are victim blaming.
OP, no means no. No matter if you sent him a pic or if you had previously flirted. You said no and he ignored that. He has assaulted you.
I truly hope you're ok, OP. What an awful situation to be in.

Neutrogena · 27/06/2017 07:16

He assaulted you, and you have been foolish (sending him a picture of your tits FFS).
Go to the police.
You were silly but what he did is illegal.

Be strong OP. This story being in the local press won't paint you in the best light and you won't get totally sympathetic responses, so start growing a thick skin.l

ethelfleda · 27/06/2017 07:40

You need to go to the police. He assaulted you. You said no and he did what he wanted anyway. His advances weren't welcome. No matter if you flirted back a few times or not! He sounds like a complete c**t!!

ethelfleda · 27/06/2017 07:43

By the way, IME the police are very helpful and supportive when it comes to this type of thing. My story was nowhere near as horrific as yours but I got treated with respect and dignity when I reported someone.

Freddystarshamster · 27/06/2017 08:08

Harassment? No
Grooming? No
Sexual assault? Yes, but never going to pass the threshold test.
And unless there's some huge back story of mental health issues and or disabilities that she hasn't mentioned, the OP is not "vulnerable" either

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 08:29

Making someone wank you does pass threshold test.

Will prople stop talking nonsense and encouraging the OP not to report him.

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 09:01

It makes you extremely morally dubious IMO

Freddystarshamster · 27/06/2017 09:13

Finally: how many charge files have you completed for sexual assault? How long have you spent on the phone to the CPS waiting for a decision? How many statements have you taken? How many suspects have you arrested for the offence?

Do you think it's possible that maybe, just maybe, some people have more experience in this field than you?

MargaretCavendish · 27/06/2017 09:28

This story being in the local press won't paint you in the best light and you won't get totally sympathetic responses, so start growing a thick skin.

As the accuser in a sexual assault case she'd retain anonymity. This post seems to just be aiming to scare her further - why would you want to do that?

Neutrogena · 27/06/2017 09:51

I didn't realise you get anonymity in all assault cases. My mistake.

RJnomore1 · 27/06/2017 09:54

I really thinking it depends what op wants here.

The conviction rate for any sexual offence is ridiculously low. We all know that. Is it likely this report on its own will result in a conviction ? Probably not.

Does that mean we just shouldn't report any sexual assault then?

Especially if we were nice and friendly to the guy before? Or if he saw us naked? Maybe not if we had consensual sex previously? Or if we are married to them?

What utter bullshit on this thread.

Op if you report there may have been others. Guys like that do it because they think they get away with it. Mentality like this thread compounds it.

Also are you in social housing? A crime number may help you ask for a move.

Finally you might just put the shit right up the arsehole if he gets arrested and questioned.

You could access victim support services. I have a friend who was abused when young and her boundaries with men are often off. CBT has really helped her. It might be an option for you.

His previous actions are at least immoral and predatory too you would need advice as to where the legal marker on harrsssment lies.

And last of all YOU DID NOT ASK FOR THIS. 💐

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 10:25

freddie you have experience in the field and are telling someone not to press charges?

appalling

FinallyThroughTheRoof · 27/06/2017 10:25

thats even worse tbh

Freddystarshamster · 27/06/2017 11:12

Where the fuck have I said that?

GinSwigmore · 27/06/2017 11:27

the OP is not "vulnerable" either

^ I read her other thread. She sounds vulnerable to me. If he comes back for repeat action and expects it to go further, I'm not sure she is equipped to tell him where to go and she'll freeze. That's why she needs to avoid him at all costs. Her mental state seems fragile. If you have better advice please give it. She needs all the help she can get.

deuxmoulins · 27/06/2017 11:28

I was able to report a historical (6 months previous) rape to the police without pressing charges - it was just recorded in the system. I've read conflicting information about that, though, so would definitely recommend contacting your local branch of Rape Crisis for advice - mine were brilliant. The thing is, once you disclose to the police they are obliged to take a statement, so tread carefully. Rape Crisis won't make you report it and you can access their services without a report.

Flowers
toomuchshit · 27/06/2017 12:10

I have been getting cbt. It's not helping I think I'm too broken to fix. I dont deal well with people. I get taken advantage of and walked all over. I dont matter. Anything can happen to me and I can't do anything about it. I can't protect myself. Maybe because I don't think I deserve it. I feel like I'm being punished for something. I know that when I report it nothing will happen to him but if I don't I will end up even more messed up.
I do have mental health problems. I've got depression, anxiety and ptsd. They are trying to decide if I have bipolar but I just think im broken

OP posts:
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