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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I think my friend assaulted me

62 replies

llllllllllllllllllllllllllll · 25/04/2023 03:22

Years ago my friend and I would have casual sex from time to time after we had been drinking. I was never really that into it but just chalked it up to me being inexperienced and figured it would get better as I got better. I usually felt incredibly embarrassed or ashamed the next day but I have an anxiety disorder so that was nothing new.

Then one time, back in 2018 I had the worst sexual encounter in my life so far. We were both drunk as usual but I explicitly told him to put on a condom. He said of course he would but didn't stop to go get one. I felt too uncomfortable to ask him again which I know now was stupid. We had sex and the whole time I was wishing it would be over but didn't want to say anything. He went off to the bathroom at one point and I was relieved but when he came back he wanted to keep going. Turns out he had thrown up and decided to tell me after he started making out with me again. He also was quite rough and bit my lip so hard it bled. I was fighting back tears.

Eventually, he was done and pretty much instantly fell asleep. He only had a single bed and I really did not want to share it with him. Crying, I made my way downstairs to leave because I wanted to go home but his door was locked, meaning I ended up sleeping on the floor of his room.

Often when we were drunk he either wouldn't be able to finish or he'd pull out to finish. This time it turns out he finished inside me and I had no idea. It wasn't until 4 months later that I discovered I was pregnant. Since I was barely 21 and was struggling enough with uni as it was I ended up getting a second trimester abortion which was a very traumatic and expensive experience for me.

At a party after everything was done I decided to tell him since only my mum knew at this point and he was still a close friend. He said it was hard for him because his aunt had a miscarriage before he was born or something which I thought was a bit insensitive but brushed it off.

For some reason I have stayed friends with him until now. Talking to him is easy and he's one of only 3 friends I feel comfortable hanging out with alone. He is also the reason I know most of my other friends.

But last night I learnt about something called stealthing and looked into it and the articles I found said that not using a condom after being asked to could be described as sexual assault as I only consented to protected sex. It has made me reevaluate the whole experience and I feel quite distraught. On one hand it feels validating to understand why I felt so awful and violated afterwards but on the other hand I feel like I can't possibly remain friends with someone who assaulted me.

TLDR: I think my friend of many years sexually assaulted me leaving me pregnant.

I really just want some advice. I feel like if a friend told me this I would tell them to ditch that guy asap. But I also don't want to hurt my friend because I'm sure he would think of it as a misunderstanding since he was drunk. I'm also worried all our friends would side with him because he has known them for far longer. I am just really confused about what I should do, if anything.

OP posts:
BigCheeseSandwich · 25/04/2023 03:32

I'm so sorry this happened to you - the assault, and the traumatic termination. It's a lot to deal with.

You told him to use a condom and he didn't. That's not a misunderstanding. Please don't worry about hurting him - he wasn't concerned about your sexual safety, you don't owe him anything.

I guess you don't need to be explicit with your friends about why you're not willing to continue the friendship. But if it did came out, what kind of friends are they that would side with him after he assaulted you?

Topseyt123 · 25/04/2023 03:39

He's not a friend. A friend would not assault you like that.

I'd stop seeing him. You aren't safe and secure with him.

fryanddry · 25/04/2023 03:46

Stealthing is when a guy puts on a condom, (or pretends to) and then removes it during sex without the womans consent or knowledge
So in your case I wouldn't call it stealthing because you said that you were aware that he didnt put on the condom
When you told him to go and put on the condom , that could be considered as you entertaining consensual sex

The experiences you are describing sound like alot of bad sexual encounters
that you are now looking back on and regretting,
maybe it feels like an assault because you felt pressured to have sex with your friend but didnt really want to at the time.
Was your friend aware that you didnt want to have sex with him?

It sounds like he didnt have alot of respect for you during these encounters, and I understand why you feel the way you do now.

if you feel like you can talk to him about what happened between you two, maybe you can get some clarification, ask him if he was aware that you werent really into having sex with him, most likely he might have thought you were willing to have sex with him and wasnt aware you felt like this

Rache346 · 25/04/2023 04:05

You asked him to put on a condom, he ignored you and carried on.
He ejaculated inside you without you knowing.
He has violated your trust and in ignoring your request to put on a condom has had non-consensual sex with you. You had only consented to sex with protection.

I agree with the poster who said that you are not safe with him.

I don't think that any of this is your fault, I do think that if you want to maintain contact with him you will need to be explicitly clear (ie. say it when you are both sober)that you do NOT want to have sex with him ever again.

Having said that, I don't think you should be friends with him anymore, he's an abusive user who didn't give a shit after he impregnated you without your consent, necessitating you to have an abortion.

You are conditioned to him being in your life but he doesn't deserve a place in it. Get rid of him, your life will be better for it.

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:14

Hi Op
Your feelings are very well grounded, and Need to be obviously validated very much so,
In regards of being sexually assaulted and the abortion ect,

Understandable your feelings are all over the place ,

I really strongly suggest to seek good effective therapy or Therapies for yourself
to explore these complex feelings about extremely traumatic times, you went through, experienced yourself,

Don't worry or care what other people think about yourself or the situations you experienced,

They are not of your concern or importance to yourself

centre yourself, as you are the one who is of importance to yourself and your emotional well being @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll

You are trying to deal with a seriously heavy load of emotional baggages all at once,

No wonder you feelings are so overwhelmed by this,

Take care

Seek good support around yourself, in as many ways as possible, this is really important for your emotional well being...
especially whilst having therapy and explore your feelings ect around multiple traumas...

fUNNYfACE36 · 25/04/2023 04:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:28

I think you also really need to explore in Therepy to why you felt a need emotionally to be acctracted to this extremely toxic relationship/friendship with this guy,

The dynamics of this relationship /friendship ect,

Also I would seriously distance yourself from this guy @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll

And start to heal by looking at self therapy books 📚 and youtube videos,

And forcus on creating good friendships

He just took full advantage of your vunerable emotional state that you were in at that time, Cause of whatever reasons (past experinces that had got you feeling like that in first Place !!!

It could even go back to Adverse shitty experiences in childhood,

I really think you could have CPSTD Complex Post Traumatic syndrome Disorder

you need to have expert therepy who speacialises in sexual Trauma ect @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Sexually Explotive men like these types are like Turds 💩💩💩💩💩
Totally Arseholes
I can't stomach them anymore ,!!!

I don't care if saying this gets me kicked off mumsnet or something for being not Woke for being wronly thought of Sexist,

THisbackwithavengeance · 25/04/2023 04:31

I felt sad reading your story.

How old are you OP? I assume you were very young at the time and I really hope that you have been able to build up greater resilience and self esteem to say no to a drunk and disgusting man who wants you to have sex that you don't want.

I'm not sure if what this man did would be described as assault. But whatever it was, none of it was good.

Anyway he's not your friend. At all. So I would stop describing him as such.

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:35

This is sexually abuse,

Sexually abusive as sounds like @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll as Op sounds very much emotionally fragile,

Sexually Assault as @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll asked him to use a condom, but he did not , and just carried on,

Sexually Coercion was involved as he gave the impression he would use a condom he never did,

Sexually explotive as he sensed like a Shark that she was vunerable...

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:38

This man is no Good for you At All !!!!!

He is No Friend !!!!!

Please 🙏 stop describing him as a friend @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll !

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:46

@fUNNYfACE36

Please don't Comment or give Advice to @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll

When it's as clear as day that you haven't read @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll mumsnet Op thread,

As it makes you look quite stupid Thick really, !

Hence Pathetic ridiculous Nonsensical Advice

Read the room too

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:47

@fUNNYfACE36

You clearly 🙄 have not read @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll Op thread Properly have you, !!!

It really shows too !

ShitFacedOnRetsina · 25/04/2023 04:53

I think you were both at fault in the moment. Broader picture, he is less vulnerable than you. You have remained friends with him despite his behaviour. Move on. Put it in your past. You would be wise to see him as a sexual abuser so you recognise this sort of thing in the future. Maybe do the Freedom Program so you can recognise types that will not serve you well.

LBFseBrom · 25/04/2023 05:02

That man is no friend! He's a user. A friendly relationship is give and take, he gave nothing to you, you didn't even enjoy it.

I'm not surprised you look back on the relationship with some horror and no doubt you now wonder why you were ever so accommodating. However you were young and inexperienced; you're not alone in making mistakes.

Not using a condom or trying to prevent pregnancy was an awful thing for the man to have done, so irresponsible and uncaring. You of course were the one to pay the price for that and my heart goes out to you.

I wonder how many other vulnerable girls he has treated so casually. Honestly, he is an insult! One day he will get his comeuppance.

Cut him out of your life and please do seek counselling. Then never look back, onwards and upwards for you.

I wish you every good thing in the future, lllllllll.

FarmGirl78 · 25/04/2023 05:35

Difficult one. But I agree with @fUNNYfACE36 . You knew he hadn't used put a condom on but chose to carry on.

I wish I could have the frame of mind where I think that as you didn't say YES you didn't actually consent, and therefore this was abuse, but in this situation I just don't. PPs have said to 'read the room' but that doesn't change my feelings. I'm not going to agree just because the majority do. I've questioned my thoughts on this with other situations and I really wish I could feel supportive of the woman in similar situations, and I wonder what's wrong with me that I don't.

@Topseyt123

FarmGirl78 · 25/04/2023 05:36

Apologies OP, I didn't intend to post with a direct tag to you there

MariaRemindsMeOfAWestSideStory · 25/04/2023 05:56

I think you were treated abominably by him during your encounter, and I am so sorry you have had to go through so much.

However, I wouldn’t classify what he did as stealthing or assault, as you knew he wasn’t wearing a condom but carried on. He didn’t trick you into sex without a condom and it’s unclear how he pressured you, as sounds like you didn’t want to say no out of embarrassment or perhaps thinking it would look uncool.

The finishing inside you, that was not ok, and on one hand I feel that he should have told you so you could take the necessary steps but on the other hand, that is the risk of having unprotected sex.

I agree with others that perhaps this person shouldn’t be in your life as a friend. I understand what you say about losing one of your few close friends, but friends shouldn’t make you feel like shit.

I also agree that you would benefit from therapy. You went through something traumatic and I don’t think you have ever processed it.

HyacinthBookay · 25/04/2023 05:58

Goodread1 · 25/04/2023 04:28

I think you also really need to explore in Therepy to why you felt a need emotionally to be acctracted to this extremely toxic relationship/friendship with this guy,

The dynamics of this relationship /friendship ect,

Also I would seriously distance yourself from this guy @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll

And start to heal by looking at self therapy books 📚 and youtube videos,

And forcus on creating good friendships

He just took full advantage of your vunerable emotional state that you were in at that time, Cause of whatever reasons (past experinces that had got you feeling like that in first Place !!!

It could even go back to Adverse shitty experiences in childhood,

I really think you could have CPSTD Complex Post Traumatic syndrome Disorder

you need to have expert therepy who speacialises in sexual Trauma ect @llllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Sexually Explotive men like these types are like Turds 💩💩💩💩💩
Totally Arseholes
I can't stomach them anymore ,!!!

I don't care if saying this gets me kicked off mumsnet or something for being not Woke for being wronly thought of Sexist,

Actually, I think that anyone who is woke will agree with you. I do.

HyacinthBookay · 25/04/2023 06:03

FarmGirl78 · 25/04/2023 05:35

Difficult one. But I agree with @fUNNYfACE36 . You knew he hadn't used put a condom on but chose to carry on.

I wish I could have the frame of mind where I think that as you didn't say YES you didn't actually consent, and therefore this was abuse, but in this situation I just don't. PPs have said to 'read the room' but that doesn't change my feelings. I'm not going to agree just because the majority do. I've questioned my thoughts on this with other situations and I really wish I could feel supportive of the woman in similar situations, and I wonder what's wrong with me that I don't.

@Topseyt123

He bit her lip till it bled! That is very abusive. It isn’t sex. If your dd told you someone had done that to her what would you say?

GoodChat · 25/04/2023 06:13

He was a nasty, disrespectful arse but I'm not sure it warrants sexual assault as the sex was consensual.

Fraaahnces · 25/04/2023 06:17

Oh honey… nothing about any of these sexual experiences sound like he likes you or women in general. There is nothing gentle, loving, kind or respectful about it. Biting, hurting, locking you in, refusing condoms, etc. This is an angry, angry man. I’m sorry that this happened to you and that you are somehow still have such low self-esteem that you find him easy to talk to. I suspect this is more a manipulative behaviour of his rather than genuine care. Please seek counselling.

ChaToilLeam · 25/04/2023 06:18

i’m sorry OP, he sounds vile, and he was completely dismissive about the consequences of his actions.

Such a man can’t be a friend. I think it would be helpful for you to understand why you have the bar set so low for friendships. It may not technically have been assault but it clearly felt like it for you. A decent man doesn’t behave that way.

differentnameforthis · 25/04/2023 06:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

OP felt too uncomfortable to ask him again, and he likely knew this, which is why this is sexual assault.

When you are afraid to assert your boundaries, or have said no, or objected in any way, or asked for protection to be used and that is all ignored the party asking for those things isn't consenting.

If you are not able/don't feel safe to say NO/put in boundaries, you are not able to say yes.

Mortimercat · 25/04/2023 06:35

HyacinthBookay · 25/04/2023 06:03

He bit her lip till it bled! That is very abusive. It isn’t sex. If your dd told you someone had done that to her what would you say?

I would say not good, shouldn’t bite. But I wouldn’t accuse them of rape or sexual assault, this was very clearly consensual sex and OP was well aware of the condom situation. No it doesn’t sound respectful and she shouldn’t be friends with him, but I think it is a step too far to accuse him of rape or sexual assault and it doesn’t help anyone either.

Women have enough trouble getting recognition for assault without somebody deciding that a less than pleasant, regrettable encounter five years earlier must have been something more sinister than it was.

differentnameforthis · 25/04/2023 06:37

MariaRemindsMeOfAWestSideStory · 25/04/2023 05:56

I think you were treated abominably by him during your encounter, and I am so sorry you have had to go through so much.

However, I wouldn’t classify what he did as stealthing or assault, as you knew he wasn’t wearing a condom but carried on. He didn’t trick you into sex without a condom and it’s unclear how he pressured you, as sounds like you didn’t want to say no out of embarrassment or perhaps thinking it would look uncool.

The finishing inside you, that was not ok, and on one hand I feel that he should have told you so you could take the necessary steps but on the other hand, that is the risk of having unprotected sex.

I agree with others that perhaps this person shouldn’t be in your life as a friend. I understand what you say about losing one of your few close friends, but friends shouldn’t make you feel like shit.

I also agree that you would benefit from therapy. You went through something traumatic and I don’t think you have ever processed it.

When you don't feel comfortable to say no, or to re-iterate your boundaries, you aren't consenting.

if you aren't safe to say no, you can't say yes either.