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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To accept my son is violent and walk away

62 replies

2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 07/01/2020 12:31

Sorry this may be long. I have written about my son a good while ago and don’t want to go over all the details here. To summarise the latest situation. He is in his mid twenties. He lives with his girlfriend supporting them both, no children, she is bulimic but won’t seek medical help. Poor accommodation. He works but spends a fair bit of his wage on some drink and certainly cannabis, this affects his mood.

In the last year he has attacked his GF 3 times the last ending up in custody although was released the next day with possibly no further action taken although there was talk of a non molestation order, not sure what happened or if I can find out if one was made. The attacks were serious and violent certainly GBH. To be honest I feel cross with the police inaction but fearful of what would happen to him if he was jailed.

After the first incident ( police involvement but no action) we persuaded him to seek help with his addiction/ anger management/ stress to try and get him back on the right track. He never went to the appointments.

We didn’t know about the second incident until the third six months ago. The third time the police did arrest him, but only held him over night. He refused medical assistance but also claimed some sort of psychotic behaviour had led him to attacking his GF. ( thought he was attacking someone else which I don’t really believe TBH) . Police ended up taking no action although as I said before did consider non molestation order.

After that he agreed to give up drinking. Still took cannabis which I believe is affecting him but he did seem to be making an effort. Things slipped again though during the autumn.

Contact had been sparse , no means to contact him except through his place of work which is not ideal. He had no phone . He does have an email but no means to check it and apparently uses a new one more now I didn’t know this. GF went NC with her family . She had refused to press charges and was against non molestation order, police had contacted her mother because she was a witness to the incident as was a neighbour who called the police. she is wholly financially dependent on him and doesn’t want to work or move out . Impossible to even knock on door of shared accommodation as there is no bell. So very little contact unless he wants something eg money or gifts.

He is back drinking again ( although he maintains small amounts) and still taking cannabis. How he manages to hold down a job is beyond me but he does. It is clear from a brief meet up after Xmas he still has anger issues. Quick to rise to temper.

So how do I feel about him. I was appalled after the first incident and probably in shock . Couldn’t express any affection to him but tried to keep the door open. After the third time. I found it difficult to communicate but did write an email to old address which he received basically saying sort himself out or leave his GF for her sake if he couldn’t guarantee her safety. Tried to help with practical support and assistance but no reciprocal contact.

Now he is drinking again , it seems this will not end well. He won’t accept that he needs to get help and wants to brush the last year under the carpet and not be judged by anyone. ( we were trying to help him so the courts would not end up judging him - in all likelihood harshly) I still feel for his GF but she is choosing her path too.

His birthday is coming up , my DH who generally feels the same as me would be inclined to send a card . I can’t even bring myself to do that .
I just want to walk away .

Thanks for reading

OP posts:
maddening · 07/01/2020 12:43

I would help the gf escape him and then wash my hands.

IceCreamFace · 07/01/2020 12:45

I don't know if I'd walk away entirely - I'd always be there to support the girlfriend. I might make seeking help and actually attending a requirement for further involvement for my son. I'd be militant and making sure that actually happens.

chilling19 · 07/01/2020 12:48

I can't imagine how awful you must feel. But is there anything you can realistically can do? He is an adult, is low contact and isn't listening to you. Maybe a final letter/email telling him how you feel about his behaviour and stating you no longer will have anything to do with him while he continues on this path? But if he wants to change you will help him? Re the GF - is it worth contacting her parents and telling them that you are cutting him off? Or, you could just go no contact without letting him know. Not sure I have been helpful but I do feel for you.

steppemum · 07/01/2020 12:49

I agree with others I would leave the door open and let the gf know you wou slduport her to leave. But for him, I would be saying, we will see you again as soon as you genuinely seek help

2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 07/01/2020 12:50

The GF doesn’t want to escape. I have suggested Woman’s Aid as has her mum then she broke all contact with her mum. I am not sure how I could help the GF to be honest. We've already made seeking help and attending a requirement although not explicitly maybe we need to communicate that to him.

OP posts:
Strongmummy · 07/01/2020 12:51

Get the GF out and go NC

FlorenceKettle · 07/01/2020 12:52

What was he like as a child OP?

I ask that because is it just 'how he is' or is it the drink and the drugs that bring this behaviour out in him?

2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 07/01/2020 12:54

I contacted her mum to tell her. She has very little contact with GF and GF mostly angry with her mum , blaming her etc.

OP posts:
frankincenseandmur · 07/01/2020 12:56

I’d cut all ties if it were me

OneDay10 · 07/01/2020 12:57

Unfortunately as he is an adult at mid twenties there isnt much you can do. This is sad. Any idea what happened to him along the way?
Harsh to say but they are both lost causes. Unless a miracle happens then neither of them are going to change their situation. It's not your responsibility to feel like you need to do something for the gf, she is choosing to be there and has cut everyone off. Besides shes an adult so there is really nothing you can do.
For both of them.

PearTreeParty · 07/01/2020 12:57

Gosh that's a hard one. Are you able to contact the GF parents? Or someone that would take some level of interest in her welfare? That would be my first step I think.

If there isn't anyone, I would attempt to speak to the GF when you know he is at work - face to face. I would advise her, in the strongest way possible, that she should leave and try to offer her practical and emotional support to do so - can you point her towards WA or the Freedom Programme? It may be that offering her a bed at yours for a short time will convince her. She is clearly in love with your DS so knowing that she is still 'connected' might help here.

And after that, there is little you can do for her.

I don't know how you intervene with your son. You cannot force treatment/therapy on him, only repeatedly offer to support him through it. Does he have friends who might be more persuasive? If his GF actually left him, do you think this might be a catalyst for change?

I think that you and your DH should sit him down and lay it out - you cannot condone his violence, you will support him getting help but if he doesn't, you will walk away, and then it really is up to him.

Sorry - not very helpful - more my thoughts than advice, but I really wish you well.

PearTreeParty · 07/01/2020 12:58

Oh Cross posted. You've answered most of my questions.

2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 07/01/2020 12:59

As a child he was very pleasant. Very occasional frustrations would make him lash out but back then I thought it was just child behaviour and told him hitting was wrong etc. Very supported caring home I like to think. I think knowing him it is a combination of stresses of poor accommodation and the drink and drugs. Landlord would move them to better but wants them to sort room out first- they live in a tip. We tried by helping them to move some stuff and clear room so they could keep it tidier so landlord would move them. Don’t think they would get a good reference to move to different landlord.

OP posts:
ColaFreezePop · 07/01/2020 13:00

He's an addict leave him to it.

If his gf eventually decides she wants help leaving and contacts you, then help her.

FlorenceKettle · 07/01/2020 13:03

It's really easy for posters to blithely say ' leave him to it' but just THINK for a moment. You'd just leave your own son to it would you? It's a lot more complicated than that when it comes to being a parent and some posters should maybe engage their brain cells before commenting

I have little advice though OP. I'd be devastated and furious if my son was doing this so I suppose your only route is to again try and help his girlfriend and also stress to him that you are there for support to him once he is serious about wanting to get help for his violence and addictions. Until then I think you're right in going as low contact as possible as there's no other option

Devereux1 · 07/01/2020 13:06

I'd put all my energy into helping the girlfriend move out. Your son is a violent abuser and belongs in jail, it is such a pity the police/CPS failed to see through their actions and ensure he ended up in court.

He is in his mid 20s, not a 10 year old here. Walk away and go NC, but do as much as you can to help his girlfriend get to safety.

2beesornot2beesthatisthehoney · 07/01/2020 13:07

Florence what is as low contact as possible , so you think we ought to send a card or do we contact him with your advice which is similar to some.

OP posts:
Devereux1 · 07/01/2020 13:07

you'd just leave your own son to it would you?

Yes. He has attacked a woman three times.

It's a lot more complicated than that

No, it's not any more complicated than that. It's difficult, it's heart-wrenching as a parent, but it's not complicated at all.

Woollycardi · 07/01/2020 13:09

I also agree you are right to go low contact and try and establish exactly how much contact is ok for you right now. If you don't want to send a birthday card, then don't. Keep everything you do clear in your own mind as to what is ok or what is too much. I can't imagine how hard this is for you, but you reached out to his girlfriend and they are both adults so will need to muddle through this mess somehow. You can't rescue either of them. He seems utterly consumed by his addictive behaviour right now though so in essence he might need to hit some kind of rock bottom in order to see any sense of clarity as to how he is behaving. I hope you can find some peace.

ohwheniknow · 07/01/2020 13:11

Which shitty police force is this that's failing to protect his girlfriend? It's domestic violence, it shouldn't be left to the victim to carry the burden of "deciding" whether the police act or not. The police should be proactive.

Blaming her for "choosing" to be abused by your violent son is fucked up and you should be ashamed. Have you ever looked at the advice from Women's Aid on how to support someone being abused? Because the first point is not to tell her what to do, not to tell her to leave - because you're replicating and normalising his abuse by trying to control her decisions.

Abuse is complex and he will have fucked with her head. He will have told her it's her fault he assaults her, that he can't help himself because he loves her so much, that nobody else will love her like he does, that she won't cope on her own, that you all have it in for them and don't want them to be together...

So direct the blame to your son instead of her.

steppemum · 07/01/2020 13:12

It's really easy for posters to blithely say ' leave him to it' but just THINK for a moment. You'd just leave your own son to it would you? It's a lot more complicated than that when it comes to being a parent and some posters should maybe engage their brain cells before commenting

what an offensive post.

I have thought it through carefully thank you, and yes I do believe that the more you rally round and suport him, the more you are saying that this behaviour is OK. there comes a point when you do have ot walk away. Not because you don't care, but because you do.

It is hard, and as pp said, heart wrenching, but at times necessary

CornishPorsche · 07/01/2020 13:15

Stresses are an excuse, not an explanation.

He is an addict. She is a victim of high level domestic violence. He is an abuser. You can't change him, and she isn't ready to. If the police have been out 3 times, I guarantee you the violence is happening on a regular basis.

If he's inflicting GBH level injuries on her, it's only a matter of time before he kills her.

Write to them both, tell them you love them and will always be here if they need help and remind them of your phone numbers etc. Then keep an eye out for her.

He will blame her for your cutting contact - and may take it out on her.. That's how these people work.

RhinoskinhaveI · 07/01/2020 13:19

A really awful situation for you OP, I do feel for you
It sounds as if he is able to control his temper at work that tells me that he could potentially learn to control his temper in other situations?
Is there anyone in his life that he trusts and can be open, with perhaps that person could be the one to steer him towards the right help?
Totally understand why you want to walk away.

FlorenceKettle · 07/01/2020 13:19

I say it's complicated. You can use the words heart wrenching and difficult. They mean very roughly the same bloody thing.

I have two children - one is 22 so I'm maybe more able to place myself into a scenario like this - it's trickier if you have a toddler for example. Both of my kids are well behaved and successful but I can easily imagine how I might feel if my son was violent and addicted to drugs and alcohol - and the words 'torn' and 'devastated' are what I think I'd feel

You can abhor the behaviour and love your child. I'd be gutted if my son had attacked his girlfriend - it's so shocking but it's happened and OP, you need to think of yourself. But I wouldn't cut him off or write him off. Not completely.

I think a card or email or letter every 6 months or a year is a good idea. 'Get help and we will support you' kind of thing. You can't support him as things stand, you've tried.

Does her mum know fully what has happened? It's a shame she isn't moving heaven and earth to pull her daughter away from him but until his girlfriend sees the light , there is little that can be done.

I think you've done the very best you can for your son and for this girl. Time to step back, think of yourself and your own health but leave the door open for him (and her) if he one day has proper therapy.

The alternative is to say 'Fuck him' and pretend he's nothing to do with you - I'd like to see how many previous posters could do this ...

OhTheRoses · 07/01/2020 13:21

He is your son. You don't have to like him but as a mother I don't think ypu can stop loving him even with a broken heart.

Clearly there are significant problems. How did the drug dependency start and when? I think you need to keep channels of communication open for all concerned.

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