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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DH friends want to discuss me, I want to be there, AIBU (TW)

739 replies

Anon8761 · 13/07/2026 23:25

NC.

This may be outting but I don't really care at this stage. It's also late so forgive any typos and I'm sorry if I forget anything and end up drip feeding.

TW: Mentions past sexual assault.

Me and DH married 5 years together 9.
DH has a friend group who meet weekly for food or a particular hobby they all enjoy. DH met most of these friends in school, they've been friends 30 years.

I was out one evening at a social event. I saw one of these friends sat on his own. We were at a bar type place. I text DH and asked if I should invite him to join me and friends. DH said of course, he even said he was happy friend (B) was there as if I became anxious or anything, he'd have my back. Sort of 'B is one of my people.. he'll look after you!' mentality.

I have PTSD. I was spiked and raped at 17 by 2 men. So social situations in bars can be difficult at times.
I'm 33 now, but still struggle quite a bit with flashbacks and things. I've worked immensely hard with EMDR therapy to try and overcome my difficulties. So, with that in mind DH was happy B was there.

I invited B over and almost immediately he said he was surprised to see me there 'because of what happened to me (the rapes)'
I was shocked. I didn't even know he knew.

He then proceeded to tell me the whole 'inner circle knew'. That DH had told them all.
Worse still, he carried on discussing my trauma at the table, at the bar, he wouldn't stop digging.

He even asked if DH satisfied me in bed.
He asked if I enjoyed sex more before my trauma or after. (He was unaware the age I was raped. But regardless. It made me VERY uncomfortable).

The list goes on... And on..
He said 'sorry if this is making you uncomfortable' mid way through but then continued?? So I don't think he was actually sorry.

This was ALL within ear shot of my friends, whom don't know my trauma, because it's private. Ultimately he made my whole evening about the worst time of my life, ever. He made me feel it defined me again, when I've worked tirelessly.. to be me and recover.

I end up leaving the social. A few friends text me to see if I am ok after as said I looked uncomfortable.
I told DH.

DH was angry. Has told his other friends. DH wants to never see B again.
However, other friends in this stupid inner circle now want some sort of meeting with them and DH and B.
To discuss this.. issue. To 'work through it' because it will make life difficult with their meet ups.

DH said to one friend, 'but what if it was your wife? And I'd said this, you wouldn't want a discussion would you?' And he agreed but still is pushing this, 'discussion' 'incase the friendship is salvageable'.

DH still wants to cut B off, but is willing to discuss because his friends keep asking him to.
But I'm so hurt, B attended our wedding etc.. he was supposed to look out for me that night, but instead made me feel unsafe and uncomfortable.

And quite frankly, why are these men planning on sitting around to discuss this? I feel vulnerable enough now. I feel upset enough.

So, I said to DH, if they plan on discussing this, I want to be there. DH said 'but I do have your back on this.' but I've asked DH to instead invite them to our house and I will send DC to my mums, because.. I don't know, I want minimum an apology before I ask B to leave.

DH said his friends are likely worried I will make them uncomfortable. But AIBU? I don't like the idea of them sitting and discussing it, especially B.

Sorry I'm a bit heartbroken.
Thanks.

OP posts:
JackieQueen · 14/07/2026 14:27

How is your mil looking after the kids a reason? So sorry op, this is so upsetting for you.

RosemaryRusset · 14/07/2026 14:27

Naunet · 14/07/2026 14:23

Your husband is a fucking pig. How DARE he share that information so freely?
I'm so, so sorry OP, I could never trust him again.

All of this. I'm so sorry OP, this is awful, he's completely betrayed your confidence.
Take some time to breathe and decide what you want to do next. We have your back.

BeardySchnauzer · 14/07/2026 14:28

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 14:22

It seems everyone knows.
Bar me...

DH has told people like his boss, years ago. He had YEARS to tell me he'd told him... Another man.

He said it was Incase he needed to leave in an emergency? And his MIL as she looks after our DC?!

I don't understand. I'm so disappointed. I am actually lost for words. Sorry.

But how much detail has he gone into?

its totally bizarre - if he genuinely felt he would need to leave work at short notice (did he ever?) he didn’t need to give details beyond his wife being unwell generically

its almost like he is revelling in being adjacent to such an awful crime and second hand victim hood

MajorProcrastination · 14/07/2026 14:29

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 14:18

It gets worse

Even his boss in work knows too.
And my MIL.

:( eugh.

Bloody hell. Who hasn't he told?! This is so unfair on you and the control you should be entitled to over who knows.

VickyEadie · 14/07/2026 14:30

BeardySchnauzer · 14/07/2026 14:28

But how much detail has he gone into?

its totally bizarre - if he genuinely felt he would need to leave work at short notice (did he ever?) he didn’t need to give details beyond his wife being unwell generically

its almost like he is revelling in being adjacent to such an awful crime and second hand victim hood

Exactly my conclusion.

roseymoira · 14/07/2026 14:31

This is awful, has he told the postman too? What planet is he on that he thinks this is ok

KTheGrey · 14/07/2026 14:32

I think your husband may need to talk to a therapist so somebody who isn't you, and who isn't directly involved, can explain to him just how wrong-headed he has been. Presumably he didn't think it was betraying your confidence, and he won't have recognised that B deliberately re-traumatised you.

Stay strong.

SummerPeonies2026 · 14/07/2026 14:33

Can I get this straight, he has been using your rape and trauma as an excuse to leave early should he need to? Because you are so unstable? So prone to mental collapse he needs to advise his boss? Just as a free option for him to use conveniently. My god op.
He has wheeled this out like a disability to tell all and sundry for his own purposes/convenience. Wow. Just wow.

You are not going to get the response you are looking for from him op. He has no idea what you have been through, doesn’t have the emotional intelligence or maturity to understand any of it. I fear you may just uncovering something far worse than B’s predatory behaviour. You must feel like you don’t even know him at this point.

IThrewASnakeAtPalomaFaithsFace · 14/07/2026 14:35

MinnieGirl · 14/07/2026 14:05

I’m afraid I agree with this.
And what exactly is there to discuss? Your husband has said he will not tolerate B ever again. End of. B was pervy, creepy, and extremely offensive and he stood drinking alcohol in a public bar probing you about your rape and sex life. There is absolutely no way that would ever be forgiven, and that’s what the guys want. B to say oh I didn’t mean to upset you, and you to accept his apology. And life goes on. No way.

Of course B is going to lie. It’s the only way he can survive and stay friends with the group. He’s not going to say he was a creepy pervert who was coming into his mates wife….

Your trauma is not up for discussion with them. Neither is your sex life. And why would you tolerate such disgusting behaviour. B will never step foot in your house. Will never be invited to any event, and will be totally ignored from now on. So what if they’ve known each other for 30 years. If he was a paedophile would they defend him?

Your hubby needs to come out fighting now. He should tell them to stop gossiping about you, and give it a bloody rest. There will be no meeting and he will not socialise with B in any way and if they don’t like that, maybe they should all reflect on how they would feel if B had behaved like that with their wives….

Your hubby needs to come out fighting now. He should tell them to stop gossiping about you, and give it a bloody rest.

Well he's got absolutely no credibility to say such a thing since he was the one who gossiped in the first place.

BrickProblems · 14/07/2026 14:36

That’s mad. Obviously you know him - WHY do you think he’s told people?

I have had several friends disclose sexual assault to me - note friends not partners - and somehow I’ve managed never to tell anyone else what happened to them.

If HE needed support or to make sure they were helpful during a crisis he just needed to say “she had a difficult time when she was younger” or “she’s been through a lot” or other euphemisms rather than share what is quite obviously private info.

My real fear is that his friends or even he have been getting a weird thrill out of it. B is clearly a wrongun and who knows about the others.

So sorry OP. I wonder if it would help to tell one of YOUR very trusted friends to reclaim what happened and make sure you’re not alone on this.

Bonkers1966 · 14/07/2026 14:39

What a pig he is.

SummerPeonies2026 · 14/07/2026 14:39

I am just sensing you are now incredibly vulnerable op, with your dd. Your dh knows B, he knows full well what they are like. You were fair game then, and you are now. He isn’t who you thought he was.

Pinkandbluestripeswithatartanborder · 14/07/2026 14:39

Bloody hell OP you can never trust your DH with anything he lives for the Drama.

Does he stop at nasty car crashes to gawp so that he can tell the story afterwards, and feel important?

Or and this is going to sound awful and I hesitate to write it down, feel free to ask for it to be deleted, but

Does he think he deserves recognition for marrying you, a rape victim, as if you are somehow damaged goods and that’s why he needs to tell everyone so they understand how very special a man he is?

PrincessofWills · 14/07/2026 14:40

Whilst i understand your partner may have needed some support when you disclosed the rape to him, it simply wasn't his story to tell.
This is such a huge breach of trust and such a huge breach of privacy it would be the end of the marriage for me.

WallaceinAnderland · 14/07/2026 14:41

Your husband has enjoyed gossiping about you OP.

It's such a betrayal of trust. How would he feel if you confided in all his friends and family that your sex life was terrible because he couldn't get it up. Not that's it's traumatic for him but it would still be a breach of trust.

He's your problem. He sees nothing wrong with what he's done and he's continuing to try and defend his actions. It would be the end of the relationship for me.

TheReflectiveQualityofGlass · 14/07/2026 14:42

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 14:22

It seems everyone knows.
Bar me...

DH has told people like his boss, years ago. He had YEARS to tell me he'd told him... Another man.

He said it was Incase he needed to leave in an emergency? And his MIL as she looks after our DC?!

I don't understand. I'm so disappointed. I am actually lost for words. Sorry.

I’m so sorry.

My exH would talk about my personal stuff as part of his need to be seen as a ‘good man’. A kind man. A caring man. I think he might be a communal narcissist. I wonder if yours might be. Is he ok other than this? Any controlling or coercive stuff? Are you allowed to be strong? Or does he need you to be ‘fragile’? What are his good qualities?

NotTheMrMenAgain · 14/07/2026 14:42

SummerPeonies2026 · 14/07/2026 14:33

Can I get this straight, he has been using your rape and trauma as an excuse to leave early should he need to? Because you are so unstable? So prone to mental collapse he needs to advise his boss? Just as a free option for him to use conveniently. My god op.
He has wheeled this out like a disability to tell all and sundry for his own purposes/convenience. Wow. Just wow.

You are not going to get the response you are looking for from him op. He has no idea what you have been through, doesn’t have the emotional intelligence or maturity to understand any of it. I fear you may just uncovering something far worse than B’s predatory behaviour. You must feel like you don’t even know him at this point.

Edited

This. Exactly this, with bells on.

Utterly abhorrent behaviour from your husband and it speaks of his character.

I’m so sorry.

diddl · 14/07/2026 14:46

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 14:22

It seems everyone knows.
Bar me...

DH has told people like his boss, years ago. He had YEARS to tell me he'd told him... Another man.

He said it was Incase he needed to leave in an emergency? And his MIL as she looks after our DC?!

I don't understand. I'm so disappointed. I am actually lost for words. Sorry.

There's no need to be sorry.

He's an utter disgrace.

It does sound as if he has used this to sound important.

30DegreesHighAndRising · 14/07/2026 14:47

It's horrendous that your husband took away the one thing you could control about your ordeal - your control over who to tell about it - and he's taken this away from you and not even bothered to tell you? Does he not have any respect for you or for your relationship?

I wonder whether he's used it to garner sympathy from people like his boss. I also wonder whether anything is sacred amongst his friends, it seems that they all expect full disclosure about partners and sex lives, given how brazen B was when he tried to force you to discuss it.

I think this would be relationship ending for many women. They say that relationships fail when one partner prioritises something external above the relationship itself - often to do with money or external parties like affairs, in-laws etc. Your husband must know that unless he shows his marriage is more important than his friendship group (who let's face it, want him to prove that they are more important to him than you are, so things to go back to normal) why would you stay?

BrickProblems · 14/07/2026 14:49

Also anyone who thinks it’s fair for a woman who’s been victimised by men to then be discussed without her consent in an all male environment is on crack. They just want to get together, reaffirm their bond, make it your fault/blame you for being touchy, and move on and expect you to abide.

Here is whose fault this is:

  1. your husband
  2. B
  3. the rest of them

Here is whose fault it isn’t:

  1. you
IThrewASnakeAtPalomaFaithsFace · 14/07/2026 14:52

The more I think about this, the more horrified I am as the full understanding of it all sinks in further. I can't imagine what this must be like for you to be experiencing OP. I think if my DH betrayed me like this, our relationship would be over - whether we stayed together or not. I'd never feel the same about him ever again.

holidayhelpneeded1 · 14/07/2026 14:54

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 14:18

It gets worse

Even his boss in work knows too.
And my MIL.

:( eugh.

So he has literally gone around telling everyone and using as gossip. Im sorry but that is vile

Ereshkigalangcleg · 14/07/2026 14:55

30DegreesHighAndRising · 14/07/2026 14:47

It's horrendous that your husband took away the one thing you could control about your ordeal - your control over who to tell about it - and he's taken this away from you and not even bothered to tell you? Does he not have any respect for you or for your relationship?

I wonder whether he's used it to garner sympathy from people like his boss. I also wonder whether anything is sacred amongst his friends, it seems that they all expect full disclosure about partners and sex lives, given how brazen B was when he tried to force you to discuss it.

I think this would be relationship ending for many women. They say that relationships fail when one partner prioritises something external above the relationship itself - often to do with money or external parties like affairs, in-laws etc. Your husband must know that unless he shows his marriage is more important than his friendship group (who let's face it, want him to prove that they are more important to him than you are, so things to go back to normal) why would you stay?

I agree.

holidayhelpneeded1 · 14/07/2026 14:57

Anon8761 · 14/07/2026 14:22

It seems everyone knows.
Bar me...

DH has told people like his boss, years ago. He had YEARS to tell me he'd told him... Another man.

He said it was Incase he needed to leave in an emergency? And his MIL as she looks after our DC?!

I don't understand. I'm so disappointed. I am actually lost for words. Sorry.

This makes no sense, why would an awful thing that happened to you as a teen mean he needs to leave work in an emergency?
How is this anything other than your Husband being as sick and twisted as his friend? He either gets a kick out of discussing it or he is treating it as a fun little bit of gossip that everyone must know.

There is part of me genuinely hoping this isnt real as its really fucked up

Jeschara · 14/07/2026 14:58

You husband is a attention seeking vile gossip. There would be no coming back from this for me.

I would not want my children looking up to him either. Pathetic individual.