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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Disrespected by Husband & his friend jokes about an assault that happened to me.

134 replies

PaperClips007 · 16/04/2024 15:45

Not sure if the title gives weight to the hurt I am feeling at the moment.

It's a long one but background is needed.

My husband is the type of chap who wants to be liked by everyone, loves being the centre of attention, is sometimes the village idiot not in a malicious way. He wants to be the comedian of the group and doesn't understand that his actions and his words can have real time consequences.

He's also a bit of a chameleon, by that I mean he mirrors other people.

For example, I know if he's been speaking to a certain friend as he starts speaking like this friend with a cockney accent. Another of his friends has a big booming voice, again he mimics this. Not intentionally or knowingly, maybe it's some kind of protection that if I'm like you, you will like me.

I dunno!

With that said, he's a good kind man and doesn't set out to cause upset.
He's not an alpha by any standards and hates confrontation, and this is part of the pain and upset I am feeling these last few days.

I on the other hand trade highly on showing respect to others and will not standby and listen to anyone being disrespected whether it's said in a jokey fashion or with malicious intent. I will stand up for myself and my own ground when it's called.

A few years ago, a friend of H made a comment about did I like H new beard.
I said yes, he response "you must have a shaved pussy then" laughed then grabbed me by my waist and swung me around. I went absolutely bat shit crazy, my husband said nothing!

The above caused a load of arguments, H said he won't stop being this friend.
I honestly couldn't understand why he would make excuses "Oh that's just the way he is, he's a bit smutty".
In my world there is no excuse, totally out of order, it's creepy as fuck and rapey.
I said this man is a wrongun and after a few heated arguments, H relented, had a word with this man and I was sent a long written apology that I neither read or accepted.

Turns out this man, even though married had been stalking and harassing a female neighbor, throwing bricks at her young teenage daughters window. Set fire to her garden and served 6 months inside for this behavior.

I said then, that H really needs to revalue the company he keeps, that he has a few questionable so called friends and this chap isn't the only friend whose beyond awful.

Another friend of H with his wife, went into a tirade about another mans wife calling her a Fing C, how much he hated her, it was just awful especially as this was the 1st time I had met them. I didn't want to stay any longer in their company so I made an excuse so we could leave. Then the next thing I know, we are invited to this lady's house. And here's this man, eating the food she cooked, sitting at he table she shares with her family, he and his wife even stayed the night. Like WTAF. The woman who was hosting believes this couple to be really good friends of hers.

I said to H, clearly enough for this man and his wife to hear, his past behavior is really out of order and he needs to pull him up about it. He response was to make a joke and say "that's just him, he always speaks like that". I called a cab, I was so angry. Again, another argument about how it's not cool, he's not cool and these so called friends are a reflection of him.

Pffffffffffffffffffffffff

A few weeks ago, the Saturday before mothering Sunday to be exact. H went to the football, was in the company of a few football people he previously said he didn't like and got blindly drunk.

He was disgusting, I've never seen drunk anything like this before and neither do I want to again. As I tried to get him onto the couch, he fell off, nearly smashing his head against a glass table. As I bent to help him up H grabbed my breast and bit it.

I have no words to how I felt and was deeply upset.

In the morning, he had no recollection, was incredibly remorseful when I told him what he done. He was read the riot act by me, I had hoped he understood he sexually assaulted me.
I told him once again he needs to revalue the company he is keeping as the why did he hang out with this group, he doesn't even like and why did he drink so much, he had no answers.

Anyhow, it's only now I am beginning to reconcile what he did as it still haunts me.

This last weekend, we hired a house & went away with 4 other couples.
All the boys where in the games room, and for some reason he told them all about that weekend, what a prick he had been and how he bit my breast. That his only saving grace was my Mother was coming up and that gave him some respite.

I have No idea! why he thought this was a good time to share such a story, or why he thought it was share worthy. I would have hoped that he would have been so remorseful and too embarrassed to ever say this out loud. I just don't honestly get it.

A couple of hours later we are all having a laugh, I have no idea this conversation took place. Until one of the chaps turns to my husband, laughing and say's "have another bite of the tit" and makes a biting gesture with his mouth.

I hit the roof and went mental, absolutely mental at the disrespect and another rapey comment.

My husband said nothing, not even a mate, wtf don't speak to my wife like that.
He said, it all happened so quickly he froze and didn't know what to do.
That he was shocked at how angry I had become.

Anyhow, people soon scurried off, I've hit the roof. The offender tried to apologies, and I said I don't do apologies and I don't do forgiveness for such behavior.

The following morning, I got up to leave it was early, H wanted to leave with me and told me to keep quite as others where asleep.
Who the fuck, says that to someone whose raging, so I made it my business very loudly and very clearly to let everyone whose to freighted to come out of their rooms known exactly what I was feeling and thinking. That's he's a prick, he's mates a prick, that he assaulted me that night, that's if he's going to talk about then he should use the correct words, that I did not consent for him to tell his mates, he's friend thought if was acceptable to make a rapey joke about it. That I deserve better.

Fast forward to today, H is feeling incredibly sorry for himself, sleeping in the spare room, wall of silence etc. I've told him how I feel, that's he's not the man I thought he was and if he really cared as much as he says he does. He would never have shown such disrespect or let his friend speak about me and in front of me in such a way.

Whilst my anger is now sub-siding from what it was and sadness is now sweeping in. I don't think I can get past this.

He's sworn he will get it sorted, speak to his friend and will make it up, win my trust back, blah blah blah. But I just don't think this is possible as I'm not sure how he can correct his actions and believe his words said must of been in a tone that allowed his friend to think his comment was permissible.

I will add we are both in our early 50's, so no excuse for being a young man who doesn't know better. This is both our second marriages, we've been together for 9 years, my first husband was abusive in both words and fists, the stress of this marriage left me in hospital with a serious illness.

Maybe because of my past I'm more sensitive as well as more aware of the actions of some men and therfor more on my guard.

But I just don't see how how I can navigate the above. Prior to this, we had been in a really good place, our relationships was very loving and couldn't have been better.

He swears he didn't tell the story to make a joke out of it, that he didn't think it would cause me so much upset.

There is obviously a pattern here, and AIBU for not personally not wanting to wait around for a next time?

Thanks for readying, I know it's a bit long winded x

OP posts:
ontheflighttosingapore · 16/04/2024 18:19

You need to split from him. His friends are vile and you thought he was different t but actually his not his worse You won't feel safe with him again

RhiWrites · 16/04/2024 18:21

he's a good kind man and doesn't set out to cause upset.

No, he’s not. He’s a misogynistic knob who’s exactly like his rapey disrespectful women-hating friends.

I think it’s time you saw it, OP. Sorry. It’s not going to get better.

hookiewookie29 · 16/04/2024 18:22

BabySnarkDoDoo · 16/04/2024 15:48

This is a genuine LTB situation. The reason he doesn't want to stop being friends with horrible and abusive people is because he is one himself. I'm sorry for the way he's treated you, you deserve much better.

Edited

This!!!!

Whatifthehokeycokey · 16/04/2024 18:33

I think you've given him enough chances here. He's a coward, and he has no strength of character. He won't defend you against his hideous friends. He doesn't deserve you.

Deipara · 16/04/2024 18:35

I think that saying, 'you can get a measure of a man's character by the company he keeps' is relevant here.

Conkersinautumn · 16/04/2024 18:36

A long time ago I dated a man who was like a reed in the river, no backbone, constantly finding everyone's side (but mine). Couldn't fault anyone, constantly mirrored others and sort of a 'yes' man. I realised that it was all for him, what he wanted, to fit right in etc. BUT it meant he didn't seem to have any thing that was just him, no real interests or passions. He went into a sales type field and became this parody of a schmooze all about bragging, targets, drinking, misogynistic and image conscious (miles from the community minded, simple things, outdoorsy guy he had been or had pretended to have been when I'd met him). I guess he was just empty, ultimately trying to be liked and 'a good laugh'. Definitely an NPC.

It was depressing, I couldn't be with someone so vacuous and lacking their own boundaries like that again.
Life is full.of people who aren't there for you anyway. If he's not against it, then he's on their side.

ClawdeenWolf · 16/04/2024 18:36

Christ OP, he bit you! I'd be devastated.

Restinggoddess · 16/04/2024 18:40

As with so many responses - this man is not worth it. This would be the end of a relationship for me.
He doesn’t respect you - he’s a low life

honeylulu · 16/04/2024 18:48

he's a good kind man and doesn't set out to cause upset

No, he isn't and yes he does set out to cause (you) upset because he's happy for you to be the butt of his foul "funny stories" because your hurt and upset is worth entertaining his revolting incel mates for.

Have a really good think about what you've posted. You make out he's a people pleaser and he's desperate for people to like him. But he's only interested in pleasing and being liked by drunken misogynists. He doesn't care a single jot about pleasing you or getting you to like him.

When you got up to leave the house where you were staying because of the way he and his vile friend had behaved, his reaction was not to be apologetic to you. It was to shush you lest you disturbed vile friend.

Really really think about this. Then you'll know what you must do.

signibflot · 16/04/2024 18:50

Your husband is weak. He won't stand up for you and being one of the lads (in his 50s!) is more important to him. I'd hate to think what he says when you're not around.
He sounds pathetic and lacking in character and possibly a bit thick. He doesn't need to pretend to re-evaluate his friendships to placate you - he is what he is; you need to re-evaluate your marriage.

AmyDudley · 16/04/2024 18:54

I'm sorry OP, your H is appalling and he will not change.
You have a good strong high bar over what you feel is acceptable behaviour, you know his behaviour is completely disgusting. He sexually assaulted you, then told his revolting friends and they all had a good laugh about it. I don't think you can get much lower than that.

I'll repeat he will not change and you will be dealing with this kind of stuff for ever, unless you leave him.
I left an appalling man and I have never felt more free or relaxed or at peace than since he's been gone. You don't need this disgusting excuse for a human being in your life.

beatrix1234 · 16/04/2024 19:12

So he’s making jokes at assaulting you, then his mates are making jokes back at him assaulting you. This is all sounding like very scary and very misogynistic. I couldn’t be around a man like that. He’s also a people pleaser looking to be “loved “ by these horrible friends. He needs to grow aback bone.

MouseMinge · 16/04/2024 19:25

Until I got to the part where you told us your ages I thought you must be much younger and it is sad that a man in his 50s is such an utterly useless waste of oxygen. I'm so sorry that you ended up with him when you deserve so much better.

He's not going to change. I'm a firm believer that if you haven't grown up by our age then there's not a chance in hell for you to change. Leave him for your own peace of mind and safety. He's assaulted you once there's nothing to say he won't do it again. He's friends with these scummy misogynists because he's the same as them. They might be more "alpha" but all of them are basically omegas. Again, I'm sorry that you're in this situation. He doesn't deserve you or any more forgiveness.

Eviebeans · 16/04/2024 19:42

Sorry to say that he doesn’t sound like a “good kind man” at all. He keeps showing you what he is and you should probably pay attention.

WhisperPeach · 16/04/2024 19:50

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at OP's request

takemeawayagain · 16/04/2024 20:01

This is one of the most vile posts I've ever read on here. What a horrible, horrible man. I cannot imagine being with someone who brags to his mates that he sexually assaulted his wife so that they can take the piss out of her. Leave him to his mates you deserve much better than this.

Hemakesmesmile2 · 16/04/2024 20:04

Christ OP, this is awful. I absolutely respect you for standing up and speaking out about their unacceptable behaviour and actions, but ultimately your husband keeps showing you who he is. He says allllll the right things but then his behaviour negates it. This really is a LTB situation. You deserve so much better than this pathetic excuse of a man and his sexist pigs of friends.

tensmum1964 · 16/04/2024 20:05

As everyone else has said, he's shown you who he is, so it's time to really take that on board. Your responses to these scenarios are admirable and I totally applaud you for giving him, them, what for. No.doubt the others in the group will think that you've overreacted, but that's because they are all of the same ilk.

DrJoanAllenby · 16/04/2024 20:06

You are polar opposites. You are quite an uptight person with a lot of self control and he's a loose cannon and an utter prat.

Cherrysoup · 16/04/2024 20:08

He’s a total arsehole. Starts speaking like his mates? Doesn’t stand up for you when you’re assaulted? Tells everyone he assaulted you? To what purpose? Cheap laughs? To make himself look ‘hard’? He’s extremely immature if he can’t just be himself. Does he have any redeeming qualities? They’d have to be fucking phenomenal to make you feel like staying with him.

AGlinnerOfHope · 16/04/2024 20:11

You could have had him charged for that assault.

I would end it. Tell him to get to the GP and get counselling or an assessment because there’s something deeply wrong with him, if he cares about you but behaved like that.

Or he’s an arse who doesn’t care about you.

Rosestulips · 16/04/2024 20:14

He sounds very impressionable and weak. From your OP I don’t think there is any hope or way forward

I also think from your reaction that maybe you have not resolved from your past trauma, I do think it was unfair on the other guests to cause such a scene.

Kindly, id advise you to first reevaluate why you are with this man and secondly to seek some therapy

PinkArt · 16/04/2024 20:15

I couldn't get past any of that. The man sexually assaulted you and then bragged or joked about it with his friends, who in turn made a fucking joke of it to you. None of them would be people I'd want anywhere in my life, let alone living with me in a faux loving relationship.
Please get rid of him before his behaviour escalates further. It'll be a great bonus that you'll get rid of the incel friends at the same time.

ScribblingPixie · 16/04/2024 20:20

I'm really sorry, but you've written enough to make it clear that this is who he is, OP. You can't keep raging at him in the expectation of the 'real him' stepping out of his friends' shadows. He's one of them. You're seeing the real him.

KreedKafer · 16/04/2024 20:21

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 16/04/2024 18:18

@PaperClips007 that is horrendous!!! sadly, i think most men of the football loving variety are like this because they think it makes them all look manly and macho but it actually makes them look like drunken imbeciles!! I am shocked at someone of his age behaving in this manner!! I wont say LTB but I will say to seriously consider the relationship and your safety within it with his friends because I dont think I would feel safe with his friends being like they are!!

Most men who love football are absolutely NOT like this. I’ve spent my entire life around men who love football and not one of them would ever dream of behaving like this.