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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Secret photos

49 replies

OldSouthernchic · 10/03/2024 17:31

Looking for sanity check...

AIBU to be upset that husband has taken sneaky photos of me in the shower & not told me?

Last year we stayed in a hotel room, a third of which was a glass cubed bathroom with partially obscured glass for privacy.
Without my knowledge, my husband took photos of me with his mobile phone whilst in the shower, washing my hair, etc.
Fast forward 4 months & I've had an accident in my car & husband has taken some photos of the damage on his phone. So back home we've connected his phone to my laptop to download photos for online claim form.
There were 4/5 thumbnails of a naked woman (didn't have my glasses on at the time). I said 'who's that?' You, he replies sheepishly. I took them when we went to J...... I asked him why he didn't tell me & he said because he knew I'd be funny about it. After a few seconds I said, 'Well, I am 'funny' about it because you didn't tell me!'
Later that evening I asked him to delete them & he said he had. I knew his pin at that time, so I looked at his phone but the photos were still in his Bin, so I deleted them. He has since changed his pin.
He has 2 friends who regularly send him soft porn photos, usually with a derogatory (to women) caption which infuriates me, as do some of his responses. One of these friends is over 80!!

I have never said anything as I don't want him to know I've looked at his phone. It was pretty obvious when something of that nature had been sent as he kind of sunk down in the sofa, as you would if a saucy bit came on the TV & you were sat there with your parents, which made me curious enough to look.
I don't think he has sent the photos of me to either of them. I would be so furious if he had. Probably be looking at divorce. As I said, he's now changed the pin..
I feel outraged that, despite knowing I'd be 'funny' about it, he has kept these photos, to look at himself presumably, without any respect for my feelings. It's my body, my decision if there are naked photos in existence. I've had naked pics taken before, but with full knowledge & consent. He has said in the past I seem to hide myself when getting undressed etc & he sometimes takes a sneaky look! Which is ridiculous. We're husband & wife ffs. I don't hide, but neither am I exhibiting my wares at every oppportunity!!

I believe these behaviours are progressive & the tip of the iceberg.
I've been waiting for him to apologise, but I know he won't as he thinks he's done nothing wrong. I feel he has violated my trust & things are decidedly frosty atm.
I'd appreciate your POV, but kindly, please, as I feel a bit shell-shocked.

OP posts:
ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 11/03/2024 20:41

I wouldn't be anywhere hear as relaxed as you OP and I'm sorry but I think you are being naive.

GwinGwyn · 11/03/2024 20:41

Thanks for the update, have been thinking of you.

OldSouthernchic · 11/03/2024 22:40

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 11/03/2024 20:41

I wouldn't be anywhere hear as relaxed as you OP and I'm sorry but I think you are being naive.

Believe me, I've been churning inside for the last 12 days & it's been exhausting. I'm all wrung out.
I've been through a lot in my life; (started writing my life story (yawn) but it would be too outing) & would hope I've learned a little something about human nature in that time. God, I've known some dodgy characters & had some hair-raising experiences! Current hubby not too bright, but not evil either. Though atm I'd like to string him up by the balls. AND take photos!

Humour is a very English way to cope with trauma & upset. Thank goodness I still have that.
Thank you for your valued input, I appreciate it.

OP posts:
OldSouthernchic · 11/03/2024 22:45

GwinGwyn · 11/03/2024 20:41

Thanks for the update, have been thinking of you.

Ah, GwinGwyn, that's very sweet of you. It's surprising what a person can deal with when the chips are down.

Many people are suffering & survive far worse than my little drama. I try never to forget how fortunate I have been in my life.
And Hubby will be wearing a hair shirt for some time, don't you worry 😉

OP posts:
ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 11/03/2024 22:48

@OldSouthernchic sorry I wasn't taking a cut at you & sorry if it came across that way.

If you're happy and can trust him that's what matters. You know him best. I'm just more cynical and less trusting.

OldSouthernchic · 11/03/2024 22:56

ThirtyThrillionThreeTrees · 11/03/2024 22:48

@OldSouthernchic sorry I wasn't taking a cut at you & sorry if it came across that way.

If you're happy and can trust him that's what matters. You know him best. I'm just more cynical and less trusting.

No, that's ok. Bit bruised & sensitive atm.

It's good to be on your guard. There are a lot of emotional fuck-wits out there, to quote Bridget Jones.
Take care x

OP posts:
fourelementary · 11/03/2024 23:09

I’m glad you’ve confronted him, and I for one was not thinking he’d shared it- but it was one for his…ahem… personal use perhaps? Maybe some time you could explore what he meant by knowing you’d be “funny” about it- did he mean ashamed? Shy? Embarrassed? Would he perhaps like to discuss sexual stuff you’d be up for for both your benefit? If he liked taking naughty pictures… what would you like? Dressing up? Role play?

I would not be impressed with anyone having smutty photos shared between friends. That would be a big turn off… but my husband wanting a saucy photo from me, I could live with that but would want it to be consensual.

OldSouthernchic · 12/03/2024 19:59

fourelementary · 11/03/2024 23:09

I’m glad you’ve confronted him, and I for one was not thinking he’d shared it- but it was one for his…ahem… personal use perhaps? Maybe some time you could explore what he meant by knowing you’d be “funny” about it- did he mean ashamed? Shy? Embarrassed? Would he perhaps like to discuss sexual stuff you’d be up for for both your benefit? If he liked taking naughty pictures… what would you like? Dressing up? Role play?

I would not be impressed with anyone having smutty photos shared between friends. That would be a big turn off… but my husband wanting a saucy photo from me, I could live with that but would want it to be consensual.

Actually I did send him an artfully posed naked photo early on in our relationship, which he was thrilled about. But the difference is that this was with my knowledge & consent. I also deleted this at the same time, as I felt he no longer deserved my trust & to have something so intimate of me. I'm guessing he's quite upset about that, & it will be a conversation for another time.
Loved all your other suggestions, thanks ❤️

OP posts:
Mummame222 · 12/03/2024 20:01

I would feel so violated I would leave him. He’s a creep and a pervert. Not to mention pathetic.

BirthdayRainbow · 12/03/2024 20:02

This thread has definitely been posted before.

BirthdayRainbow · 12/03/2024 20:06

I had to check the date. It is new. I wonder if there is advice on that thread you could use?

I'm so sorry you have been let down by your husband.

Betecbetty · 12/03/2024 20:12

Had an ex do this to me was so disgusted

JurassicFantastic · 12/03/2024 23:00

When he says he "knows you'd be funny about it" what he means is that he knows you wouldn't consent.

Think about that for a moment.

When this man wants to commit a sexual act that he knows you won't consent to, he does it anyway but tries to make sure you won't find out. I repeat, when he knows you don't consent he goes ahead anyway and covers his tracks to avoid being caught. He is open about the fact that your consent is not an important factor to him in whether or not he proceeds with a sexual act, and that he will disregard it when he knows you don't consent.

And then when caught and challenged he defends himself by implying that you not consenting was unreasonable. Refusing to consent to a sexual act is not "being funny about it". He is victim blaming.

Personally I find both of those things predatory and terrifying. It would be grounds for divorce for me - personally I think there is no way back from a partner disregarding a clear lack of consent.

If anyone else took naked photos of you that they knew you didn't consent to, what would your response be?

OldSouthernchic · 13/03/2024 09:25

BirthdayRainbow · 12/03/2024 20:02

This thread has definitely been posted before.

Maybe, but not by me. Genuine issue, lovey.

OP posts:
OldSouthernchic · 13/03/2024 09:39

JurassicFantastic · 12/03/2024 23:00

When he says he "knows you'd be funny about it" what he means is that he knows you wouldn't consent.

Think about that for a moment.

When this man wants to commit a sexual act that he knows you won't consent to, he does it anyway but tries to make sure you won't find out. I repeat, when he knows you don't consent he goes ahead anyway and covers his tracks to avoid being caught. He is open about the fact that your consent is not an important factor to him in whether or not he proceeds with a sexual act, and that he will disregard it when he knows you don't consent.

And then when caught and challenged he defends himself by implying that you not consenting was unreasonable. Refusing to consent to a sexual act is not "being funny about it". He is victim blaming.

Personally I find both of those things predatory and terrifying. It would be grounds for divorce for me - personally I think there is no way back from a partner disregarding a clear lack of consent.

If anyone else took naked photos of you that they knew you didn't consent to, what would your response be?

Wow, you've made some very powerful points there.
Every time I cut him off after his apologies, he started to say something else; 'you always hide yourself', 'what do you expect', 'alright you've made your point', 'you hever seem to want sex, not with me anyway' etc ..
It's scary that I agree with you because, what now?
We are in a position of early retirement & would both have to return to work if we separated.
The adrenaline had started to calm a bit, but it's back!
Definitely food for thought

OP posts:
ItLiterallyJustSaysFoldInTheCheese · 13/03/2024 10:28

There's a filter/category on the main porn sites for 'caught my wife naked, she doesn't know about this' (paraphrased, obviously), although typically it's video footage. I don't say that to upset you, but just to make you aware.

I would keep asking, keep digging. You will either find out the truth, or hopefully, the penny will drop & he'll understand why it's upset you so much.

ouch321 · 13/03/2024 10:44

Vile.
Could not let that go myself.
Would be done.
Your pics will be somewhere uploaded on some skanky website/s forever now.

NeedToChangeName · 13/03/2024 10:49

It's not just about the photos

It's the complete lack of respect for your bodily autonomy

I also think you can judge people by the company they keep, so I'd be unimpressed with his choice of friends, but that's a separate issue

OldSouthernchic · 13/03/2024 18:09

ouch321 · 13/03/2024 10:44

Vile.
Could not let that go myself.
Would be done.
Your pics will be somewhere uploaded on some skanky website/s forever now.

😔😔

OP posts:
OldSouthernchic · 13/03/2024 18:11

NeedToChangeName · 13/03/2024 10:49

It's not just about the photos

It's the complete lack of respect for your bodily autonomy

I also think you can judge people by the company they keep, so I'd be unimpressed with his choice of friends, but that's a separate issue

That's what I feel.
My body, my choice.

OP posts:
Geebray · 13/03/2024 18:16

I would be absolutely fucking FUMING 😡😡😡

He has brutalised your boundaries, he has admitted that he knew you wouldn't like it. I would be shouting at him for days after this, and seriously reassessing my marriage.

And as for your naive question "Does Readers' Wives exist any more?!" yes it does. It's called every porn site on the internet.

OldSouthernchic · 13/03/2024 18:20

ItLiterallyJustSaysFoldInTheCheese · 13/03/2024 10:28

There's a filter/category on the main porn sites for 'caught my wife naked, she doesn't know about this' (paraphrased, obviously), although typically it's video footage. I don't say that to upset you, but just to make you aware.

I would keep asking, keep digging. You will either find out the truth, or hopefully, the penny will drop & he'll understand why it's upset you so much.

Euuuwww! There are LOT of nasty, disrespectful, slimey men about.
What my husband has done is bad & he has yet to fully appreciate how bad, but I'm (fairly) confident he would not go this far.
I think he's been stupid & unthinking rather than evil & it's good advice to keep digging until the penny drops, thanks.

OP posts:
Northernsouloldies · 13/03/2024 18:21

Back in the day readers wives was iffy Polaroids now it can be secret filming, voyeurism,and you can be online without your knowledge.

Geebray · 13/03/2024 18:22

OldSouthernchic · 13/03/2024 18:20

Euuuwww! There are LOT of nasty, disrespectful, slimey men about.
What my husband has done is bad & he has yet to fully appreciate how bad, but I'm (fairly) confident he would not go this far.
I think he's been stupid & unthinking rather than evil & it's good advice to keep digging until the penny drops, thanks.

I imagine that, until you found them, you'd have been (fairly) confident that he wouldn't behave in such a sleazy, abusive way.

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