to think that mn saves lives?

[airo]

Ok, clearly I'm not BU however I like this topic

I was in an abusive relationship. I didn't realise. I found mn, posted on here about a tiny thing my ex had done, seemed trivial, and other members helped me unpick our relationship and by the next day and the end of the thread, I was on the phone to women's aid and planning my escape. The idea of leaving had crossed my mind but I never actually planned on doing it. I truly believe he may have hurt me or worse had I stayed.

Mn has helped me through an incredibly tough court process and one bit of advice from a lady on here in my DMs was a game changer. Changed the whole process for the better and I would never have known about it if not.

Honestly? MN has changed my life.

Does anyone else feel the same, and owe thanks to the lovely, honest members of mn?

I think the vitriol on here could very well have the opposite effect.

MN has helped me on lots of occasions but the biggest impact is that it has helped me understand domestic violence and how hard it is to escape. As a result, I now donate a % of my company’s profits to the local refuge. I am very aware now that ‘there but for the grace of god, go I’.

It can be very informative, helpful and supportive. I agree that there will be lots of people like you who have been able to recognise domestic abuse and other issues from the advice and perspective of others. People do rally to help and that's encouraging to see.

But there is also a lot of unnecessary unpleasantness, pile ons and abuse that could have the opposite effect too. Just lately the vitriol has been especially bad I've found. And it does worry me that vulnerable people could be pushed over the edge by the type of nasty or superiority seeking posters who just want to come here to have a row and be purposely hateful.

So for me the bottom line is to take everything here with a pinch of salt. You never know the motives of the people advising you.

I think it has positive effects and negative. I think some people overstate its importance.

I agree with the OP and most of the posters above.

I don’t believe the OP is overstating the importance of mumsnet, it obviously has extremely high importance for them. It will differ for different people.

I think it can actually be very damaging too. I guess it depends on who you listen to.

I'm not saying the OP is overstating the importance to her but that some overstate its importance in general. There's some great advice here but also some terrible, innacurate and downright dangerous advice too.