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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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I need to talk about this

366 replies

Lostandscared1 · 31/08/2025 20:32

Basically what the title says. And I’m posting in AIBU for traffic.

i am very nervous to post this

35F, he is 32M. We do not live together. I have children from previous relationship and he has not met them - important info.

I am in an abusive relationship. There is no question or doubt about it. We have been together for coming up to a year, yes I know it has not been long. I had rose tinted glasses on up until April/May time this year and I have tried to end the relationship a few times.

i need to tell someone, anyone about what happened this morning. I had stayed at his this weekend whilst my children were with exDP. We had actually had quite a nice weekend up until late last night where we got home from a date night I had organised where suddenly the cheating claims came out etc etc etc. This morning it kicked off again as I tried to express my hurt calmly about something and he just hit the roof and told me to get the fuck out of his house so, I proceeded to do so by getting myself ready, packed my things and went downstairs to say goodbye I shall be leaving now. He went absolutely insane, and I mean insane. He was screaming at the top of his voice against the fireplace wall, punched himself in the head and proceeded to scream at me, in my face calling me all the names under the sun and he ran into the kitchen where the back door is to exit so I could leave and he picked up a knife. When I tell you I was scared, I was terrified so I rushed to unlock the back door to escape. He proceeded to hold the knife against his own wrists and scream at me im going to slit my wrists and your going to watch me die. I obviously begged and pleaded with him not to do that, knife still in his hand and he was shouting that nothing would satisfy him more knowing that he dies and I watched him. He then held the knife in the air so I ran back to the back door and he screamed at me to shut it and I said no, he slammed the knife down and said shut the door so I did. He was screaming at me that I drive him to this, I’m narcissistic im evil, all the usual abuse I get almost daily at this point. I was shaking, sobbing, and he went and sat down and then was accusing me of having another boyfriend, that I’ve manipulated every man I’ve been with. Just tearing my character down with false accusations which again is something I’m very used too. He held his fist up to me too before I went upstairs to get changed, and he chased me up the stairs and got in my face to shout at me to tell him what I was saying to his face.

i physically cannot leave. I am trapped. After this, he acted like nothing had happened. He was laughing at social media, trying to make jokes whilst I was completely numb all afternoon waiting for the time I can leave to have my children back.

in the times I’ve tried breaking up with him before but I haven’t physically been with him, he’s found me and he’s gone hysterical at me until I’ve changed my mind or he threatens to attack me or come into the place I am and confront me, or he’s gotten into his car and screamed at me where I am until I tell him and then he threatens suicide.

please do not judge please be kind.

i feel like I’m dealing with someone who has a serious split personality disorder. I do not want the police involved, but I do need to leave. I’m working with a therapist currently to understand why I allowed this in the first place. I’m a lot stronger now but the reactions I get terrify me, especially today.

i just needed to get this out and I just need to hear that what I am experiencing is not ok. Apparently I’m the evil bitch.

OP posts:
delayrepayagain · 31/08/2025 21:22

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Also incredibly unhelpful. She could very likely end up dead.

CherrieTomaties · 31/08/2025 21:22

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No. There shouldn’t be a next time.

OP, please ensure there is never a next time.

End the relationship via text. Then block his number. Change your number if he has form for calling you on withheld numbers.

Never ever go back to his house. If he comes to your house- do not let him in! Phone the police if he comes to your house or your place of work.

Get a ring doorbell or cameras installed at your house.

Tell the police, your GP, friends, family, your children’s dad about what is going on.

Pricelessadvice · 31/08/2025 21:22

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user1473878824 · 31/08/2025 21:22

I have no idea why people are speaking to you so harshly.

I am so sorry this man has happened to you and has done all of this.

I am echoing everyone: call the police and tell them everything and call women’s aid. Think what you would tell your child to do if this was happening to them. Don’t put yourself through another year of this. There is nothing to be ashamed of and none of this is your fault. What he has done is terrifying, get the police involved for your safety.

I’m so sorry @Lostandscared1 x

StandFirm · 31/08/2025 21:23

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She is trapped because she is THAT afraid of him. Awful.

PersephoneSmith · 31/08/2025 21:23

Phone the police asap. Tell them everything, you need a restraining order in the first instance. Then get a new phone number.

BlackSheepThisYear · 31/08/2025 21:24

If your children are of school age, please also inform the school of the situation. He sounds unhinged and this will avoid any situations should he turn up there. Schools should have good security procedures when it comes to ‘relatives’ collecting pupils but sadly not all do.

whitewineandsun · 31/08/2025 21:25

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Ap42 · 31/08/2025 21:25

Also depending on where you are you may find your local area has a one stop shop for domestic abuse survivors. They are fab places. You'll be met by women's aid whi will talk you through any information you need confidentiality. They also have police, solicitors and often benefits advice at the one stop shop. Its a great supportive environment.
Also, please be careful of some of the advice you are being given, when preparing to leave my ex I kept my mouth shut, I behaved as though everything was normal, as advised by women's aid (I had to wait 2 days for a place in a refuge to come up) Once myself and the children were safe was the point I let him know it was over, I left a letter.
Contact women's aid before having further contact with him and they will advise you of the best steps to take.

SharkAttacked · 31/08/2025 21:26

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Slowdownyouredoingfine · 31/08/2025 21:27

Hi Op, well done for posting firstly. Incredibly brave of you! That the first step, you don’t seem like a stupid person to me so I’m pretty sure you know what you need to do going forward, for yourself and your children. All the best.

iamjustlurking · 31/08/2025 21:27

Just wanted to assure you that you can and definitely need to leave him.

You can't spend the rest of your life in this toxic relationship. Your children and you deserve better.

The sense of peace you will feel when free is overwhelming involve womens aid , involve the police you owe him nothing

dogcatkitten · 31/08/2025 21:27

Lostandscared1 · 31/08/2025 20:37

I am home, with my children and I am
safe. I’ve blocked him in the past and he ends up calling me from a withheld number constantly until I answer

Don't answer obviously, why would you if you don't recognise the number?

Comeinupto40 · 31/08/2025 21:27

Just want to echo PP advice to tell the Police everything you have said here. Ask their advice on how to leave him as safely as possible.
I assume he knows where you live? How secure is it? How easy would it be for you to move? I am scared for you. Definitely talk to the Police, asap.

StandFirm · 31/08/2025 21:28

@Lostandscared1 do you have friends or relatives who could take turns staying with you for a little while until this blows over after you've cut him off? Reading between the lines, I think you're worried he'll basically stalk you like a maniac. When you talk to the police you must convey this to them very clearly so they can advise you on how to protect yourself.

Zanatdy · 31/08/2025 21:28

think of your DC. They need their mum around. Men like this kill. Please protect yourself and don’t go anywhere near him again. Thankfully you are safe, but don’t put yourself in that position again.

Sharkpenis · 31/08/2025 21:29

Oh sweetheart.

This situation is bad. Very bad, and I know you know that, but question yourself. Its hard to be in your head where you are, conflicting thoughts, feelings.

Woman's aid can take a while to get through to. I think you know you need to talk to the police, and this can be terrifying. You can contact 101 online if that feels easier for you. You can copy and paste your OP. Making that first step is scary, but the rest will follow.

Im thinking of, and rooting for you OP x

GoldPoster · 31/08/2025 21:29

I just want to say - he does have the capacity to kill you, so do contact the police.

CherrieTomaties · 31/08/2025 21:30

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This is very patronising and harsh.

It’s evident that the OP is absolutely petrified of this man, and despite him being violent and abusive, she still cares for his welfare by not wanting him to slit his wrists.

The OP is very likely to have low self esteem from this ordeal. She feels mentally trapped and doesn’t know what to do. It’s a pretty standard reaction from the huge trauma she’s endured in a short space of time. Thankfully, it appears the supportive and informative posts on here are getting through to the OP as she has stated she will contact Womens Aid and that she knows the police need to be involved.

Please refrain from trying to tear people down who are going through crisis.

Chickensky · 31/08/2025 21:31

Please can posters saying really unsafe advice please stop!! This is a serious situation that OP needs professional help with.

I am sorry you are experiencing this OP. Please take care of yourself and your children. You must feel very frightened indeed.

DO:
Call National Domestic Abuse Helpline or Women's Aid
Do report to the Police
Do change the locks of your own house
Do speak out to someone in real life
Do look take their advice regarding any safety measures to protect yourself,e,g Ring cameras, protective orders etc.

DO NOT
Dump him / Communicate with him by text or call
DO NOT encourage his threats or suicide
DO NOT underestimate that you can just ignore him and he will just go away it you shrug and ignore

I wish you strength and hope that you reach out for the help you need.

Comeinupto40 · 31/08/2025 21:31

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Would it hurt to be more supportive of OP?

She has a crazy man waving a knife around and making threats against her when she tries to end the relationship. He could be capable of anything. You hear of murder-suicides all the time by crazy jealous men. It’s fucking scary!

StandFirm · 31/08/2025 21:31

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Jesus! Victim blaming at its finest.
Through sheer bad luck, she's landed herself a complete mad man. It's not her fault. Could happen to any of us. Now if you're faced with a fucking predator threatening you, you may wonder how to extricate yourself safely from the situation. That's why OP is posting. She's scared of him. He knows where she lives and is obsessed with her. Put 2 and 2 together...

Gremlins101 · 31/08/2025 21:31

Like previous posters, I am extremely worried he could kill you, which is not only awful in itself, but leaves your children motherless. With kindness, I think you are being a little negligent to not report him to the police. You need to make sure he can never come near you or your family again. This is frankly terrifying, and I really hope you stay safe and take the necessary measures.

Ap42 · 31/08/2025 21:31

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I used to be of the same opinion until it happened to me. It creeps i very slowly, they manipulate you to the point where you can no longer see the wood for the trees. Its truly scary how dependant they make you feel upon them. Thats how it happens. Its not a simple as just leave him, trust me.

Isthisit22 · 31/08/2025 21:32

Please speak to the police. It is very common for men to hurt their ex partners especially when they leaving. I’ve just read about the Australian rugby star that set alight and killed his ex and their 3 children. It happens. Please protect you and your family.