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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

The subtle ways that domestic abuse continues

43 replies

plessuregirle · 27/10/2020 20:37

I haven't seen my ex for nearly 2 years. We are going through the family courts and he hasn't seen our son since he was 3 months old. He's been stopped by the court from seeing him until he completes a domestic abuse perpetrator programme. I have a non molestation order against him. In the last month, he has taken a video from my social media and reported it to social services of me and my son near a fireworks display saying it was unsafe (social services said it looked absolutely fine and the guy even said "I hope you had a lovely time. This is obviously a malicious report"). My social media is pretty locked down and he's not on there so he's obviously had someone spying on me. I've deleted all social media now as I'm so paranoid. The courts are also helping me to change my sons surname to double barrel it which I am so happy about. In his birthday card this year that he wrote to my son (he's allowed) he wrote my son's name and his currebt surname in capital letters. He never does this and it's clearly him making a point. Will this ever end? I feel like I'm constantly waiting for the next thing.

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 27/10/2020 23:15

Sorry, I totally misread what you said about his mum. I see she's on your side.

Nicknamegoeshere · 27/10/2020 23:19

The police still regard coercive control as a "civil matter." Well they do in my experience sadly.

plessuregirle · 27/10/2020 23:21

Police have been amazing. It's the courts that are shite.

OP posts:
Augustbreeze · 27/10/2020 23:23

It's widely known amongst professionals trained in DA that the main way an abuser continues the abuse post-separation is via child contact.

Nicknamegoeshere · 27/10/2020 23:34

@Augustbreeze I wish they did. They ruled 50/50 custody with my kids seven years ago with my abusive ex. Our lives are a living hell. I wish I'd never left him.

Pebbledashery · 27/10/2020 23:36

@Nicknamegoeshere this is my absolute worst nightmare...
Why did they rule 50/50??? The thought of this terrifies me.

Nicknamegoeshere · 27/10/2020 23:42

@Pebbledashery In short, because he's the father and I'm the mother so 50/50. Kids were just 3 and 6 at the time. They weren't interested one bit in the fact that he'd controlled me throughout our marriage - horifically - as "clearly" being a cruel husband does not make him a bad dad. He continues the abuse through the boys. He's applying for even more custody now that I have a new baby with my fiancé because he's so furious I've moved on. It kills me.

Augustbreeze · 27/10/2020 23:42

Sorry I meant DA experts plus some trained professionals who get it.... some don't, I know, I know, and that has awful consequences.

Pebbledashery · 27/10/2020 23:47

@Nicknamegoeshere that's pretty horrific. I'm so sorry.. You must've been devastated he got 50/50 :( I feel like family courts aren't interested in abused women.. Unless the abuse transcends onto the children and they are experiencing first hand abuse then they seem to disregard the awful things we've experienced. My ex has been investigated for child abuse by police and social services, he has an awful and violent temper and has hurt our daughter physically 😢.. He tried to strangle me in front of our child and his exact words were "why can't you just die you fing whre". I feel so awful that your ex got 50/50 because he HAS Subjected your children to abuse!!! Why are the courts so blind to it.

Nicknamegoeshere · 27/10/2020 23:54

@Pebbledashery I'm so sorry you've been through that, abuse is abuse and by God it's devastating. I hope things work out for you and your child and that you can find happiness.
My ex was/is calculated. He never hurt me physically so no "evidence." When I was finally brave enough to leave I reported him - one of the final straws came when he left me with no money to buy food.
The words of the WPC that came out to see me I will take to the grave...
"Where are your bruises? Unless you show me bruises there's nothing I can do about it."

Pebbledashery · 27/10/2020 23:57

@Nicknamegoeshere truly horrific. I'll message you as don't want to hijack this thread as OP has made a very valid point re abuse and court systems.

Thisisworsethananticpated · 27/10/2020 23:59

Read about grey rock and follow to the T OP
And Work to reduce any single way to communicate and delete anything nasty
I spent 18 torturous years with my ex
Walking on eggshells
Ruined holidays , weekends , birthdays
Etc etc
I never think About him now ! He did send me a pathetic text a few weeks ago and it bothered me for about 5 mins
You can and will get there OP

user1473878824 · 28/10/2020 01:06

@NeverTwerkNakedv That’s horrible to hear. I’ve got everything crossed they’re sensible for OP.

Pebbledashery · 28/10/2020 07:11

Don't know what it is about narcissistic abusers but every birthday, Christmas, weekend, mothers day got absolutely ruined here too.

Nicknamegoeshere · 28/10/2020 10:30

@Pebbledashery Yup. The Court Order says I am to have them every Mother's Day. However, he usually refuses to return a day before so I have to apply for an Urgent Hearing and don't see them.
I only have them every other Christmas and for my/their birthdays, if it falls on his week, for two hours.
It's my 40th this year and he has them. It will be crap.

Pebbledashery · 28/10/2020 10:34

@Nicknamegoeshere can the court order not be enforced? Surely if you did that on fathers day he'd be getting it enforced. He's a piece of work.

Nicknamegoeshere · 28/10/2020 10:50

@Pebbledashery Yes it can and has been. Thing is it's extremely costly and takes about two weeks minimum to sort with the courts (that's if one is lucky with listed hearings). And more than that, the psychological impact is huge.

Pebbledashery · 28/10/2020 10:52

It's just another way to abuse you :( I can imagine my ex 100% doing the same thing x

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