Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

(d)h threatened to hit me

580 replies

itstimmy · 10/10/2010 08:52

Yes I provoked him.

When we met he said he had threatened to hit a gf before. And he said if another lady talked to him in a provoking way he would hit her, as apparently 'women who provoke secretly want to be hit'.

There have been lots of small things over the last 7 years I have wanted to speak to him about, I have, to no avail, he will just cut me off with a threatening look or sarcasum. And there have been a number of big things over the years I have had to keep a lid on when really I wanted to go ballistic with him. This has led to me simmering with resentment and anger at him, I just want to speak out and be heard and for him to actually take some action...but I dare not for this threat.

So yesterday it was a minor incident, I have been 'needling' him about it and making a few snippy comments, and in front of dd which I'm not proud of but I can hardly tell her not to do something when her dad is...it needs both of them to stop and have spoken to both indvidually about it. And I made one last comment yesterday, I was just incredibly pissed off but could not tell him how annoyed I was due to constant threat so made a pointed 'look what has happened, don't do it to the next one' comment and he got up from table and went to other room.

About 15 min later he comes to room where I'm folding clothes and warns me that I nearly got hit. To stop provoking him or I will get hit. He was not threatening me or trying to bully me he was warning me. And that it would hurt (said that a few times) and we have two small children in the house and that he did not want to hit me but I was provoking him into it. He was v scary, as he rarely makes eye contact and he did yesterday. First I tried to put on a I'm not scared leave me alone look but he told me I was provoking him, so I told him in a calmer (upset way, I was scared) why I had done it and it was wrong to have provoked but I had done it because he has been ignoring what I've been saying and I just want him to listen to me. In the end after a few more 'warnings' I asked him to leave, so (cursing myself now) I left the room and went to bathroom (door shut) so quietly cry my heart out, then when he went out drinking last night to do it again. He has left house again for an hour now and I just want to cry again. When he's in room I just start meaningless things like stirring porridge, feel a bit shakey.

I don't know what to do now. Does this mean after 7 years he is going to start to hit me? What will count as 'provoking'? Will going out all the time be provoking as I don't want to be in the same room as him. There have been a number of incidents over the years that have made me want to leave but I think this could take the biscuit.

On another note I don't think he loves or cares for me which is probably also where the provoking comes from...

I feel humiliated and scared. Wish I could threaten to smack him one...but even if I had the advantage I would not.

I know I can be a martyr and annoying but what the hell do I do now? I cannot move on without him actually taking responsibility for his actions in the house without getting so wound up he won't listen to me and then I get wound up and want to vent but can't.

What a mess.

He's back shortly so if I go quiet its for a reason.

And I married him because he reminded me of abusive dad...

Just rechecked this...I think I can see why he wants to hit me...but I just want him to LISTEN. And the provocation is down to that...you know where you just want to go "AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! DON'T DO THAT!!!!' and then whatever it is gets blown over, no big row, just a quick vent...imagine keeping a lid on that for 7 years...and there have been some whoppers where I wanted to just go completely wild and walk out that I've had to keep a lid on. Am excusing my behaviour now...how the hell do I get him to listen...thanks for reading so far...

OP posts:
itstimmy · 12/10/2010 14:13

thank you. love the telephonic stare. got to relive it all now at copshop. asked dd if she minds staying with friend, she says she is okay doing that, just don't want an officer to come even with plains clothes and to closet ourself somewhere away from her...rather go to station.

crying again, not been able to round girls today...

anything i should tell police in particular?

what loopholes have i missed?? help!

OP posts:
ToniSoprano · 12/10/2010 14:16

Hey Timmy, wishing you all the strength in the world to continue in your quest to save yourself and your children from this man.

DON'T GO BACK - and try not to spend any more time wondering what he thinks. It is too difficult to put yourself in the shoes of such a controlling psycho, so don't try.

piratecat · 12/10/2010 14:19

hi timmy, i have been following your story, and i am glad you are safe. xx

NicknameTaken · 12/10/2010 14:22

Hi Timmy, I just wanted to add my support. My ex also took possession of my DD - he would forbid me to hold her/cuddle her when he was in certain moods. I went along with it because I was afraid of what he might do to her. I can't believe the freedom and joy I get from being able to cuddle her whenever I want and tell her I love her and not have to worry whether anyone is looking at us and frowning and getting ready to intervene!

To tell police - don't worry, they will prompt you! If you can give any specific dates and if there have ever been witnesses, that's good, but don't worry if you can't. I would mention the fact that he had sex with you when you didn't want to after the birth of your dd2, despite the fact you have stitches. You may have forced yourself to minimize it, but it's a pretty serious thing (and it doesn't matter that you didn't scream and cry and tell him to stop).

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 12/10/2010 14:47

Just tell them everything you've told us, and more (I'm sure there is more - there always is Sad). Don't over-dramatise or minimise. Just be matter of fact but cry if you feel you have / need to. Call things by there name. He raped you, and he's intimated that he's raped others. Let them know the extent of the violence and threat of violence.

Is someone going with you? We're all there in spirit, willing you on and holding your hand Smile

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 12/10/2010 14:48

their name Blush

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 12/10/2010 16:05

Hope it went okay timmy

hairymelons · 12/10/2010 17:36

Yes must have been difficult, hope you're feeling ok.

maristella · 12/10/2010 17:52

Timmy i hope you're ok, this week must have been so scary and so liberating for you all at once!

you have been so brave, and your girls will thrive under your courage.

i agree with all posters who say to pursue the residency order, don't give XP the benefit of the doubt especially with your children!

keep us posted, we are all rooting for you x

sneezecake · 12/10/2010 18:26

Have been following your thread, your amazing, go timmy!

frenchfancy · 12/10/2010 20:04

Just read the whole thread and wanted to send you my support.

Tell your girls you love them a thousand times a day, then tell them again.

You should never be scared for your own safety in your own home. You have done the right thing (and I am one of the ones that normally thinks you should stay together and work it out).

I shall be thinking of you. Stay strong.

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 13/10/2010 06:22

How are you today Timmy?

itstimmy · 13/10/2010 08:12

thanks again for all your support, well we have CONTACT after 2 days...

So guesses please as to what he put. Closest guess to text wins an honary doctorate in psychology...

visit to copshop was liberating, wish i had done it sooner...to have a policeman listen to you, write it down, ask all the details, then get out another form so he can send it to the domestic violence section of the force, tell me its important to pass on any address changes so they can keep tabs on me and its not a call out of the blue they can just check up the file and know where i am and what the history is...very very very reassuring and empowering. Got loads of off the record snippy comments in 'of course i wanted to get hit, that's why i left home with 2 girls 1 cat and v few possesions to sleep on a friends couch, that's how much i wanted to get hit...' 'calm down...oh that's easy after someone whos meant to love and protect you offers to do you serious harm...' etc etc etc...very good to get it off my chest, was not at all emotional...got to angry stage...v healthy.

When i got back 'home' i wolfed down my first proper meal since saturday and actually had a few really good sleeps...went to bed at 7 with the girls. DD1 actually asked me to sleep next to her and she put her hand in my hand to fall asleep...no face for that one but my heart melted, am i getting that closeness that's been denied me up til now, i hope so then i can be a better mummy to her.

right brekkie time for us...will be back by the time your all frothing at the mouth to hear what he put Grin

OP posts:
Joby1970 · 13/10/2010 08:19

Glad you slept better & ate well - it can make you feel a bit more human again. x

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 13/10/2010 08:32

What a relief Timmy. You sound so strong and that you are starting the healing process.

IsItMeOr · 13/10/2010 08:32

Really glad to hear you're doing so well Timmy. I have been lurking, willing you on.

Can't think of text wording, but I'm guessing it's basically ignoring that you have left him and assuming that you'll be back home soon.

JeezyPeeps · 13/10/2010 08:33

My guess is - he wants to know how to work the washing machine...

Glad to hear you are staying strong, and that you are committed to your decision, because it is the right thing.

You and your girls will be so much happier living in a happy, friendly, loving environment. Well done.

Anniegetyourgun · 13/10/2010 08:38

Let me see... guesses, guesses...

Three possible approaches: (a) sad/bewildered, what's wrong, you should have said something was bothering you, it can't have been that joke about hitting you ha ha you know he couldn't have meant it (b) furious that you have taken his children for some strange purpose of your own, probably related to another man, and just wait to see what the courts will think, unfit mother obviously; (c) he loves you desperately and misses you, you are the only person he has ever truly loved, you had such a great thing together, please come back and talk, we can work it out. Oh, or (d), all of the above by turns. On balance, (c) most likely. Guessing he did not make any threats of a non-legal-based nature as he might work out that these can be shown to the police.

I don't deserve a prize though as I've covered all the possible angles there!

ps So pleased to hear you are able to get close to your precious little girl. That was the most chilling thing about your thread, the way he was trying to keep you apart. Telling you not to tell your own children you loved them was scary. I had this awful vision of him making the case that you didn't really love your girls because you never told them so, never read them stories etc; a cold-blooded long-term plan to ensure he was in the driving seat wrt residence/access if you ever tried to split up.

Anniegetyourgun · 13/10/2010 08:40

Ooh, I was wrong after all that, IsItMeOr is far closer I bet.

mumonthenet · 13/10/2010 08:40

Well done Timmy,

you have been amazing and so brave.

mumonthenet · 13/10/2010 08:45

Just a random thought about the bedtime stories, I wondered - what would have happened if your DD had said (as any 5 yr old might) to him one night...Daddy I want Mummy to read me a story tonight.

warthog · 13/10/2010 08:56

he's hungry and he can't find his clean clothes

CakeCuresAll · 13/10/2010 09:02

Glad to hear the police went well Timmy.

I'm guessing he asked where something was? (not you though...)

Or maybe something about how you are overreacting?

And it's clear that your daughter wanted to be close to you all along - she was just being blocked by him by the sounds of it.

She obviously doesn't seem devastated that daddy wasn't there for story time.

follyfoot · 13/10/2010 09:03

Glad you are doing well and felt listened to by the police.

As for what he put, definitely not a begging or sad message I reckon, nothing indicating any weakness on his part. Something putting the 'blame' onto you, whatever format that might take.

You take care x

ToniSoprano · 13/10/2010 09:04

My guess is something along the lines of:

'How can you be so selfish and melodramatic? Grow up. U have no right to take the children.'

OR

'U need to learn to stop provoking me.'

OR

'I have informed the family/social services/police you have kidnapped our children.'

Anywhere near?