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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Hand hold please, my marriage is over

322 replies

TotallyLosttonight · 07/02/2023 02:40

I think it is. I found out tonight that my husband has shared photos of me (sexual ones) on an adult chat room. I’ve had a feeling something was up for a few months but tonight I saw it on his laptop. I’m totally disgusted and devastated. I don’t think I can ever forgive him. The photos have my face! He knows I know, he says he’s really sorry, he’s got a problem, thinks he’s a sec addict, he’ll get help…I told him he does need help but it’s too late for me.
I saw some pics on his laptop at Christmas and he made some stupid excuses. I wanted to believe him so I did, but my gut told me it wasn’t right. I tried to ignore that but tonight I realised the truth. We have 2 boys, aged 8 & 13.
what do I do?? I’m devastated and the one person I want to hug me and comfort me is the one who has caused this.

OP posts:
TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 09:17

Desertbarncat · 09/02/2023 03:46

As someone who has had the same thing happen, I strongly encourage you to seek therapy when you can, it’s a nightmare, a huge betrayal and is also a criminal act to send explicit pictures of someone without their consent. Never ever ever let this man have access to you again. No matter what he says, it’s truly unforgivable and I’m so sorry this has happened to you.

I'm so, so sorry this has happened to you. This will hang over me forever, there is always a potential for these photos to crop up as someone else may have shared them. I feel sick. I am going to contact revenge porn help to see what can be done about removing them but I think it would be virtually impossible given that others are in possession of them now.

Once the dust settles I will definitely seek therapy for myself. Right now I don't see how I can ever trust another man again.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 09/02/2023 10:28

@TotallyLosttonight You will probably trust again , however if you are anything like me I don't do sexy pics (mind you at 61 I look better dressed) or videos - even if my H wanted them- he ain't getting. I've read far too many things over the years and behaviour from men who you simply would never have believed it of. Im not a man hater but my view of men as a whole has definitely changed.so much sleazy and disloyal behaviour going on.

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 10:53

Crikeyalmighty · 09/02/2023 10:28

@TotallyLosttonight You will probably trust again , however if you are anything like me I don't do sexy pics (mind you at 61 I look better dressed) or videos - even if my H wanted them- he ain't getting. I've read far too many things over the years and behaviour from men who you simply would never have believed it of. Im not a man hater but my view of men as a whole has definitely changed.so much sleazy and disloyal behaviour going on.

Oh believe me, there will be no more of that! I'm older and wiser now. We met 20 years ago and I think a pattern established fairly early on.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 09/02/2023 11:06

@TotallyLosttonight that's the thing isn't it. My H never really did any housework once I moved in , at that point a lot of women kind of enjoy 'playing house' and 'looking after' a man- early on in a relationship -at least they did 28 years ago- and I sort of set the tone very early on and once you do it then feels awkward to change it without some men seeing it as 'criticism'. As you say 'older and wiser' - if I am ever on my own again I won't be so obliging. That's why I think a lot of older men like younger women, many are less likely to call out their shit.

kateandme · 09/02/2023 11:39

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 01:08

I’ve been sad all day but now I’m angry. He’s pathetic, he’s been crying and saying how sorry he is. I don’t care.

The life you said about before. that wasn't your life was it. That wasn't your future that wasn't your present. That was on your holidays whilst you were laughing,whilst you were going away,or going out, whilst you with the kids ,whilst you were thinking about the future he was selling you on the internet and buying other girls. he was abusing you by putting your Image out there for other men to see,to barter ,to have as their very own.
This is what he was doing.
I know that horrific to hear.it's horiffic to think about. it's horrific for me to type! but that's what he was doing with the life you thought you had.

And he's not sorry now.
if he was sorry he would have come to you saying I've got a problem I've done something.
He's been caught that's why he's now got a problem. that's why he's now sorry.
he's been caught that's why he stopped full stop.
so the future you think you might have had wouldn't have been the case anyway.because he would have continued to do this and what would have been next. Your children?other women?Where out on the dark Web would have taken your image or sought other woman's out.

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 11:56

kateandme · 09/02/2023 11:39

The life you said about before. that wasn't your life was it. That wasn't your future that wasn't your present. That was on your holidays whilst you were laughing,whilst you were going away,or going out, whilst you with the kids ,whilst you were thinking about the future he was selling you on the internet and buying other girls. he was abusing you by putting your Image out there for other men to see,to barter ,to have as their very own.
This is what he was doing.
I know that horrific to hear.it's horiffic to think about. it's horrific for me to type! but that's what he was doing with the life you thought you had.

And he's not sorry now.
if he was sorry he would have come to you saying I've got a problem I've done something.
He's been caught that's why he's now got a problem. that's why he's now sorry.
he's been caught that's why he stopped full stop.
so the future you think you might have had wouldn't have been the case anyway.because he would have continued to do this and what would have been next. Your children?other women?Where out on the dark Web would have taken your image or sought other woman's out.

You're right I know. I'm grieving for what I thought I had.

OP posts:
kateandme · 09/02/2023 13:28

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 11:56

You're right I know. I'm grieving for what I thought I had.

Of course you are lovely.this is grief.

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 13:45

Jesus Christ. I have just had PMs from a user with the name Duncbp, describing himself as married 44 M, digging for info on my sex life. F*cking men.

OP posts:
LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 09/02/2023 13:48

What, you mean here on MN @TotallyLosttonight?! Bloody hell

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 13:49

LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 09/02/2023 13:48

What, you mean here on MN @TotallyLosttonight?! Bloody hell

Yes on here. I've reported him.

OP posts:
GoodChat · 09/02/2023 13:49

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 13:45

Jesus Christ. I have just had PMs from a user with the name Duncbp, describing himself as married 44 M, digging for info on my sex life. F*cking men.

I'm so sorry.

I hate to suggest this but does your H know you use Mumsnet?

sweetgingercat · 09/02/2023 13:49

@TotallyLosttonight

So sorry you are being contacted like that. Your ex-h-to-be is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

So glad to see you are still here and being strong and getting through it day by day. 💪

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 13:52

GoodChat · 09/02/2023 13:49

I'm so sorry.

I hate to suggest this but does your H know you use Mumsnet?

He does but he's currently unable to access the internet due to his job so for once it's not him causing me grief.

OP posts:
Notjusta · 09/02/2023 14:53

TotallyLosttonight · 09/02/2023 13:45

Jesus Christ. I have just had PMs from a user with the name Duncbp, describing himself as married 44 M, digging for info on my sex life. F*cking men.

Wow!

kateandme · 09/02/2023 15:48

Oh lovely do send him our way

kateandme · 09/02/2023 15:49

Keep a screenshot of that

TotallyLosttonight · 10/02/2023 14:21

I've told my best friend that we are splitting up due to something he's done but I'm not ready to share the details in RL. I've also contacted the revengeporn helpline for advice.
I've cried, raged and cried some more.

I'm telling myself every day I get through is a day closer to this being over and me feeling better.

OP posts:
freezingpompoms · 10/02/2023 17:30

That's a great first step OP. Very brave and showing your heading in the right direction.

Notjusta · 10/02/2023 19:49

Keep going lovely, you're doing great. Has he gone from the house yet?

Chopbob · 10/02/2023 20:03

Just to play devil's advocate- something very very similar happened to me many years ago, and I eventually, after much soul searching chose to stay with my dh.

I know that many people think I made the wrong decision and may think I'm stupid but I'm now at peace and happy with the decision I made.

In the first few weeks I felt very much as you feel now- I was intent on separation, very practically minded. Dh moved out. I too have dc and worried deeply about the effects a separation would have on them.

I grieved the husband I thought I had. It's very hard to describe the pain- it's like they have died almost and you are stuck with this man that you know nothing about. You also grieve for the life you had- the house, the lifestyle etc. and I think it's very easy for others to say they will walk away from everything when it isn't their reality.

Very much like your Dh, my Dh was devastated and did not want a separation. He was also in other ways a good husband and life partner (although in this instance/situation he was far from a good husband!)

In the end, after much soul searching, I decided that if he would be committed to attending sex addiction therapy and also couples therapy that we MIGHT be able to make it work. I also attended therapy on my own to help me sort through my own feelings.

Therapy was incredibly useful in helping us both understand why he did what he did. The reasons were very complex and had deep roots into his childhood.

It also allowed me to talk through my feelings and made me realise what was more important to me...stability and familiarity and the person I had been with for 30+ years.

I want to make it clear, it was not an easy decision or an easy path to tread. In some ways it would have been easier to separate.

Has it been hard work. Yes. Have I cried a lot. Yes. Do I still love him. Yes. Would I 100% trust him again...No- but it has made me wiser and in many ways has improved our marriage. Our communication is better, we don't take each other or our family unit for granted.

He understands that if he ever let's me down again, there are no more chances.

I accept that everyone reacts and feels differently about such a catastrophic breach of trust within a marriage, but I don't think you know how you will react until it happens, no matter how much you empathise with a situation.

If you have made your mind up then please totally disregard my post, but I just wanted to give you perspective of an alternative.

Please look after yourself, don't bother what anyone else thinks- only your opinion matters now xxx

Butterflywing · 11/02/2023 04:57

It's amazing how many women 'stand by their man' despite all manner of domestic violence and other violations and even when their partner is accused of child sex abuse. Women are intensely forgiving, loyal and loving. Nurture or nature? Who knows.
What is clear is that if your dh sold you a lie of who he actually is and now you know the truth, why do you think counseling will change his sick fantasies?! Do you really think that counseling can stop men being turned on by what turns them on?!

When their fantasies spill over into real life as in this case, men are not remotely interested in their victim if it gets them the kick they are after.

The more naive, lovely, innocent, trusting and loyal the victim is, the higher the stake and the bigger kick they get.

LunaMoon21 · 11/02/2023 05:00

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kateandme · 11/02/2023 05:29

exactly op i bwt you thought you couldnt even get to today.you have.one step closer to freedom.to life where this isnt happening to you.

Missingpate · 11/02/2023 08:49

You are doing brilliantly OP and great to hear you have an appointment with a solicitor, for some outside expert advice. Best of luck with everything, stay strong x

Murdoch1949 · 11/02/2023 08:58

I hope the revenge porn advisors help you. It's totally shocking what you are going through, I'm glad your manager was so supportive and sensible. I understand your concern regarding going to the police. My worry is that your husband seems to have years of history of these activities. Even with extensive therapy he may not be able to move on, particularly without a family to support him. I have no idea of the likelihood of him repeating this behaviour, it's does seem more likely than not. While your main responsibility is to yourself and your children, how will you feel if he repeats his behaviour with another woman, or women, seriously damaging them emotionally possibly with worse outcomes than you are experiencing?