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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:
Ineedmorechocolatenow · 11/10/2010 10:05

Just say family emergency and then explain it all another day.

Good luck x

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 11/10/2010 10:06

Update us on how it went, when you can Smile

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 11/10/2010 10:10

Best of luck itstimmy!!! Great that you got through to WA. Not sure where you are, but once you are at your friend's house, contact the local domestic violence unit and let them know about his threats/rapes. It would be good to have support in case he tries to contact you again (which he will).

Suda · 11/10/2010 10:20

How many stories do you read where some lunatic beats or even kills their wife or girlfriend and says - she just kept provoking me - she just wouldnt stop provoking me so I just lost it. Dont be one of these women in the newspaper please. Leave leave leave - there are several excellent organisations who are experts in enabling you to leave safely.

I had 27 yrs of this - he is a control freak and trust me I am qualified to recognise one !! I like you was always too scared of him to leave and I had children - who he didnt hit btw (ironically thats part of the control thing as if he had been cruel to the kids you wouldnt have seen me for dust - and he knew it) so partly fear and partly for the kids as he was a 'good' dad and I would have been the guilty party to split the family up etc. Ring the police or go into a police station when he's not around - they will help you - the days are gone when they cant do anything in a 'domestic' and just tell you to go home and we'll only come out when he actually hits you etc. Tell them what you have told us. They will help you and put you in touch with other people who can with practical things - especially when you have kids they have to.

And dont look back - very important - he will try everything trust me - mine cried begged pleaded, promised to change even drove his car into a tree and threatened suicide several times. Then he reverted to sinister and threatening Had to get an injunction with power of arrest in the end - but I felt safer than I had for over two decades and now I am married again to a wonderful man who I know would never ever abuse me mentally or physically. I wake up every morning feeling safe - that on its own is priceless. You could have this too -its a human right IMO.

follyfoot · 11/10/2010 10:22

Keep strong timmy xx And excellent advice about the Domestic Violence Unit. I know others have been critical of the police, but they were brilliant for us.

Suda · 11/10/2010 10:31

Ooh good - sorry now Ive caught up (makes mental note to check have read whole thread in future - duh) I am always thrilled to hear about someone else escaping from that hellish situation - keep your momentum and strength up please do not go back however much pressure of any kind. You have so so made the right decision - get yourself safe first obviously and then let us know how you get on.

Suda · 11/10/2010 10:45

Main thing I grabbed was every photo I had in the house. Also anything else irreplaceable . I later had copies made of the childrens photos and grandkids (my kids were grown when I left btw) and had them sent to him through solicitor - cos I knew had I left them there is no way he would do the same. He would probably have burnt them out of spite. I did that so he couldnt ever say I had even taken every picture of our kids etc etc.

But the main thing is get yourself out safely - no piece of paper or material possesion is worth risking leaving it till he might come home and rumblee you.

Suda · 11/10/2010 10:46

rumble even !

serajen · 11/10/2010 11:16

good luck, honey, we are all here for you xxxxx

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 11/10/2010 11:16

Hopefully she's on her way now Suda :)

scallopsrgreat · 11/10/2010 12:07

Good luck timmy!

ElephantsAndMiasmas · 11/10/2010 12:25

When you can, please let us know that you and the DC are safe. Thinking of you x

LilMsUnfortunateAxeIncident · 11/10/2010 12:33

My God there are some brave women among us!

See you on the other side Timmy! come back soon and tell us how you are!

We are here for you for as long as you need us!

giveitago · 11/10/2010 12:33

Wow - what an amazing woman Timmy.

We are all rooting for you.

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 11/10/2010 12:42

Another flag waver....

ISNT · 11/10/2010 12:50

Gosh just read all of this. Well done timmy, how amazing Smile Good luck!

Mumi · 11/10/2010 13:00

Wow, only just seen this thread. Thinking of you and wishing you the best of luck :)

proudnscary · 11/10/2010 13:06

Another flag waver! You are amazing, woman! You are doing the most fantastic, life-changing thing for your children.
xxx

amberlight · 11/10/2010 13:08

PS be aware of What Happens Next.
He will do the full "Babes, I'm so sorry, it will never happen again, if you really loved me and the kids you'd give me another chance, you know how much I love you really..." stuff. By text, by phone call, by anything he can manage, 24 hrs a day 7 days a week until he's worn you down into going back.

If you don't agree, he'll use half nasty then half nice stuff, to sort of frighten you and then persuade you.

Just watch it happening and know it's a game. In 12 years I've not seen one of these individuals actually become a wonderful partner. Not one. Out of hundreds.

follyfoot · 11/10/2010 13:14

Amberlight makes some really important points. Keep safe and remember you are doing the right thing. Stay strong and brave, there's a wonderful life waiting for you Smile

DooinMeSizers · 11/10/2010 13:18

Well done Timmy. Keep strong we will all be thinking of you.

Suda · 11/10/2010 13:26

Yeah thats how it goes Amber - thats exactly what mine did. If you go back things would be ten times worse after the first week or so 'second honeymoon' period of best behaviour - because then he would use the fact you had the audacity to try and leave him to hold against you and he would hardly let you out of the house. I also cant emphathise enough you must not fall for any of his attempts to get you back under his control - and thats all it would be.

Suda · 11/10/2010 13:36

< also waves flag - but dresses up in full Boadicia costume to do so - the ultimae symbol of strong women everywhere >

sorry - dont know what came over me - I always had to go one better even as a child Smile

madmn52 · 11/10/2010 13:41

Grin Suda - just visualising all being led by some lune called Suda dressed up as Boadacia to the secret refuge

LilMsUnfortunateAxeIncident · 11/10/2010 13:44

Waves flags