My friend doesn't use MN so I'm posting on her behalf.
She asked her abusive husband to leave two years ago. At first he saw the children but used the opportunity to call her names and abuse her. He's become increasingly hostile as have his family who have also sent her abusive messages.
There was an incident over Christmas where he made the children cry so she has stopped contact for the sake of the childrens wellbeing. It is also rumoured that he is using drugs but she has accepted that this is hearsay.
No court order in place but she would actually prefer this to go to court as the children are of the age they would have their wishes respected.
He keeps turning up at her house and posting notes. He writès on her car , phones the children crying and this evening tried to take her youngest in his car but she ran home.
She has involved the police who said they would speak to him. The next morning a note to the children said the police won't keep me away from you.
The police have told her it is a civil matter? Is this correct?
Also as a lot of the contact is via notes for the children is this still harassment?
There is a lot more such as being abused in the street by him but of course he's careful not to have witnesses (the children have witnessed it though)
I'm increasingly worried as is she as his behaviour is becoming increasingly erratic and is escalating but the police don't seem to want to know.