Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

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

I have found evidence of an inappropriate relationship. What to do? Long. Sorry.

190 replies

separated · 13/02/2012 19:14

My husband is a therapist. He deals with fairly severe cases of depression and other mental health issues.

Background info. There is a history of his domestic violence against me. He was arrested once but denied it. My word against his. My son has recently become quite aggressive with me. An ongoing problem.

We are divorcing, his choice, and selling the house but we are still living in the house at the moment with our two teenagers. I have started several threads in the last few weeks. He ended our relationship at Christmas but assured me that there was no one else.

I have found evidence to the contrary. And the evidence proves without a doubt that it's with a client/former client. This is strictly forbidden. I confronted him about it. He denied it but asked me to jog his memory by showing him the evidence. I knew what would happen to it if I did so I have copied it and given copies to close friends until I decide what to do. He is a psychologist and incredibly good at appearing innocent. He is wily. He always used to say that he would never hurt me in such a way that there would be evidence.

For the first time in this increasingly twisted twenty year relationship, i actually have some solid evidence of yet another thing that he is denying. Essentially it's several sides of A4 paper with him weighing up various solutions such as: tell no one, admit it to his boss, discuss it with the BABCP which is his regulatory body or something or to continue the relationship (he sometimes refers to it as a friendship in this evidence) but make it non sexual for 2 years. I assume this two years refers to a period when a therapist cannot have a relationship with a client after treatment finishes. He considers drip feeding the information to his boss as another option.

I thought that he would admit what has happened. He hasn't. But this time I know. I thought that this would give me the space I need; it was bad enough finding out over Xmas that he no longer had feelings for me. And he didn't even leave for a few days to let the dust settle, instead he asked me to pretend that everything was normal, for the sake of the children. Which I did. I really thought, now that I know that he has started some sort of relationship, or thought about it, with a client that he should leave for a while. And he won't. It's so disrespectful. And it's actually wrong. He has crossed a line with someone.

Please do you have any words of wisdom? Really, he should lose his job. But do I want to be the person that makes that happen? I had intended to walk away from this marriage with a clear conscience. But would this just be revenge? Incidentally, this is what he told the police that it was when I had him arrested. He told everyone that and still maintains to everyone, including me, that that is what it was.

My other worry is that this could kick start his violence again. He hasn't laid a finger on me since he moved back in in August 2010 when we agreed to try again. Actually, when I agreed to try harder and he agreed to try to forgive me for his arrest(!)

He came back home at lunchtime today. He never does this. I thought that it was to explain to me about this woman. It wasn't. All he wanted was the paperwork that I had found (under his mattress). He accused me of stealing his property and asked to have it back. When I refused, he took my car keys. I only got the keys back because I said that he was frightening me, he was, and that I would have to call the police if he didn't let me leave in my car. Simultaneously, my sister phoned and I remained on the phone, with her listening, until I was safely in my locked car.

What a mess. But at least I know that this wasn't really about me. It's not my fault that the marriage has ended. He found someone else.

Any advice gratefully received please.

OP posts:
areyoumad · 13/02/2012 20:04

Hi Separated

Do you know what, my dad although not in a position of trust turned my mum inside out blaming everything on her and playing the victim, however now she's clear of the relationship, most people could actually see through him and it was my mum's uncertainty that kept her there doubting herself.

As someone said upthread we believe you.

Is there anywhere else you can keep your paperwork? hell in a desk at work? with some trusted friends etc, do not leave it in the car, unless you sleep with your keys attached to you at all times, he may think his paperwork is in there and become violent to get the keys.

Make sure several copies are taken off your evidence, and then make sure you and the boys get out asap (or kick him out) and change the locks, then when you've steadied yourself send the information off about him, but always retaining a copy for yourself.

We're here if you need us

eandz · 13/02/2012 20:05

yeah, but he has been successful in making her contemplate her own abilities to judge. (when she took him back) he seems super manipulative/dangerous.

janelikesjam · 13/02/2012 20:14

I agree with an earlier poster. If your relationship is over I think you should just move on and not get involved in his professional life. Even more the case if he has potential for violence towards you. You could end up with a very nasty revenge tit-for-tat situation. It is also not clear how much you know or what the details are. You may not be be assuming you are acting in another person's interests without knowing the full story.

BayPolar · 13/02/2012 20:31

Geez! What a nerve to remain in denial about the physical abuse!
Yes, like somebody else said, you need to file for divorce citing adultery, and yes, he has crossed the line with his actions and should be reported.

BayPolar · 13/02/2012 20:32

janelikesjam would be a divorcing man's dream.

The other advice is better.

separated · 13/02/2012 20:34

Thank you for believeing me. I am incredibly good at disbelieving myself but I have the physical evidence this time.

OP posts:
malinkey · 13/02/2012 20:53

Whatever else you do, no matter that the places on offer aren't ideal, I would get yourself and DCs away from this man asap.

sleepymammary · 13/02/2012 21:08

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

Blatherskite · 13/02/2012 21:09

He sounds scary! I would get myself and the children out and then definitely report him. He could use his position to do a lot of damage to someone else if he's not stopped.

separated · 13/02/2012 21:13

I agree that, ideally, I need to move on and that doesn't need to wait for a divorce to come through. But there is no spare money to go anywhere until the house is sold.

OP posts:
SugarPasteHedgehog · 13/02/2012 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyPeterWimsey · 13/02/2012 21:35

I so rarely post on threads like this, but your situation really has me concerned and I can't stop thinking about it.

He has a history of violence towards you.

He knows you have evidence that could destroy his career.

You have no car to drive away tonight.

You think he's the kind of person who is capable of immobilising it, whether he has or not. That speaks volumes.

You know he is extremely manipulative and plausible to outsiders.

I feel you should leave as soon as possible, tonight even. Please consider this seriously.

separated · 13/02/2012 21:42

I'm just so used to disbelieving that situations are real, that I'm still sitting here thinking that I'm making something out of nothing. Does that make sense? And I know that makes me sound so wet.

OP posts:
ScorpionQueen · 13/02/2012 21:45

I hope I'm wrong but reading this has sent chills down my spine. You need to get out. Get someone to fetch you. There may be a Mumsnetter nearby if you have no-one in real life to help. You really shouldn't stay there with him.

LadyPeterWimsey · 13/02/2012 21:49

That's not wet, that's the result of living with someone who is very good at making you doubt yourself.

What do you think his next move will be? Does he know that you have left copies of the paperwork with friends? Do you feel frightened?

I'm just really concerned that he is feeling - rightly - very worried about what is going to happen and you are in danger because of that.

eandz · 13/02/2012 21:49

yeah, I agree-- get yourself quietly out as soon as you can. (as safely too).

LadyPeterWimsey · 13/02/2012 21:50

This is not something out of nothing. You have proof of his wrongdoing. He has used violence before. Please get out!

Do you have anywhere you can go tonight?

LadyPeterWimsey · 13/02/2012 21:51

Whereabouts in the country are you?

eandz · 13/02/2012 21:51

If you're in London I'll come get you.

blackcurrants · 13/02/2012 21:52

not wet, separated, but someone who.has been subjected to systematic psychological manipulation. He.has got you doubting yourself, but we believe you. Beoieve your eyes. And get out, get out. adont wait for more violence. Leave.

separated · 13/02/2012 21:53

I don't honestly kmow how he will react. He is acting very calmly right now as if he has done nothing wrong. He said that I will feel silly when I find out that there is nothing to it. Yet he says he needs to see the paperwork to be reminded as he says that nothing happened, there was no woman, no relationship etc.
He has gone out to buy cornflakes apparently and it has crossed my mind that he may be doing something more sinister. I am a little frightened as my car has a puncture that developed today.
My daughter said that she would go straight away with me if I felt the need to go. I haven't asked my son as handling him is trickier.

OP posts:
eandz · 13/02/2012 21:53

also, people like this make plans for all sorts of scenarios. and he's happy for you to think it's all in your head. it's best for him for you to believe it too.

LadyPeterWimsey · 13/02/2012 21:56

Please go now. Do you have transport?

nkf · 13/02/2012 21:57

Do you need the car to leave? Can you get it fixed tomorrow? I think that you need a better arrangement for while you are going through the divorce. This sounds all wrong. Divorces take a while and you can't live in fear all that time.

Eglu · 13/02/2012 21:58

It does sound like a worrying situation to me. I think others are right and you need to get out of there OP.