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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:
BasilRathbone · 14/02/2012 19:12

No one's running around screaming.

I think everyone's calm.

They're just not minimising or trusting for the best.

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst, is a pretty good maxim.

MrsSchadenfreude · 14/02/2012 20:16

Are you seeing a solicitor, Separated?

separated · 15/02/2012 00:06

Hi folks. Went out for the evening. Rather lovely to spend a few hours out of the house, that's for sure!
I have seen a solicitor for some free advice but I haven't yet appointed one. He told me that all I would be doing is helping him to buy a new car and that I can't afford to do that.

OP posts:
KristinaM · 15/02/2012 00:39

Sorry, your solicitor told you that ? In otner words, you dont need legal advice??????? Or you do need it but cant afford it?

Im pretty sure that you cant afford not to....

HoldMeCloserTonyDanza · 15/02/2012 01:29

Hi again sep.

Just want to add, you really need a solicitor and it MUST be one who understands that your husband is abusive. That is so so important. If you aren't absolutely confident in that keep looking.

My memory is hazy. But I think when you separated last time you did have a good solicitor? If so could you get her again? Or contact her for a recommendation even?

Otherwise the domestic violence charity (women's aid?) may have some good advice in this regard. Please do contact them, they will take the emotional abuse and the manipulation seriously, and don't feel embarrassed to tell them your fears about the car tyre.

I know I have said it before and it may not seem like it now but these problems - the eating, the difficulties with your son - they are YOUR HUSBANDS FAULT. He is causing them. I know you think you have contributed in some way but seriously, improving these matters will be so so much easier when he is out of your life. He is the root of the problem, you may not see it now but I promise you will.

garlicfrother · 15/02/2012 01:34

This is the page I linked to earlier. Use the drop-down for your region, then click on the link closest to your location. Ring the numbers.

All the best!

garlicfrother · 15/02/2012 01:38

Sorry, I should have added: If re-contacting your old solicitor isn't a good idea for any reasons.

anonymosity · 15/02/2012 03:30

Separated - why does your profile state that you do not have children?

whydontwehaveasharpknife · 15/02/2012 05:52

He always used to say that he would never hurt me in such a way that there would be evidence. Thats madness.
please run away from this and report him for his mal practice

separated · 15/02/2012 08:04

Thanks for all of the advice.
Okay will look into getting a solicitor. He meant I could not afford one.
The one I had before, recommended by the local dv group has now left, but even she, because of the ages of the children, thought that it was all about what the children want to do. I was trying to make it so I had my son with me as I feel he is at risk.
No idea why my profile says 0 children! Maybe that was wishful thinking on a bad day!!

OP posts:
separated · 15/02/2012 08:11

I know that I will be so much happier, healthier when my husband is away from me. He should have gone. But he doesn't have enough respect for me to see that he should. He said on Monday that he would go nowhere but that u could go without the children. My daughter said that she would come but my son won't: not while we still live in this house.

This sounds weak but I think I'm too caught up in this to see how to get out of it. Part of me says stay until the house is sold and part of me worries what that will do to me. I could have months left here.

OP posts:
malinkey · 15/02/2012 09:45

Phone Women's Aid. You are not safe living for months there. It is not up to him to decide whether you leave without the children. HE IS NOT IN CHARGE OF YOU. (sorry for shouting)

separated · 15/02/2012 14:18

Won't be posting perhaps for a few days.
Thank you for your support.
I will be back.
I will also be reading this if you want to continue to offer advice or support. x

OP posts:
garlicfrother · 15/02/2012 14:28

Yes, please listen to the part of you that worries.

It's already damaged you - that's why you're easily discouraged by patheric solicitors (that happened to me, too.) It's damaging your children and their future relationships, too. Try calling:

Womens Aid helpline: (leave a message if it's busy) 0808 2000 247
Warwickshire DVSS: 0178 8537 112
Refuge Warwickshire: 0192 683 2861 and 0247 638 8093
West Mercia Womens Aid, Worcester: 0800 980 3331

If they refer you on to another service that can help you, please follow up the referral.
Talking to people will help you clarify your thinking :) Take your time, but DO make the calls!

separated · 15/02/2012 15:59

I am back.
I didn't want to be back.
I was trying to leave.
For my daughter and I to have a place in a refuge, MILES away from her school, because I work full time...£229 per week. All of my money goes into paying bills etc. I cannot just stop paying because my son will still be living there until the house sells. The council couldn't help me at all as I work. So I am still at home.
Today, right now, I believe the system has failed me.

OP posts:
SorryMyLollipop · 15/02/2012 16:38

Are you saying they would charge you £229 per week to stay in the refuge? Shock
How did you contact them? Was it through Womens Aid or the Police or independently?

I have no useful advice, I am afraid but I am shocked, you have been to the police before haven't you, so he has a history of DV towards you.

QueenOfProcrastination · 15/02/2012 16:51

Sep, I remember you from your first thread and my heart sank when I saw you're the OP of this one.

If memory serves, your sister was supportive last time you tried to leave. Any chance she (or a friend) could accommodate you and DD for a couple of weeks while you find somewhere to rent? Don't know whereabouts you are but a 1 / 2 bed property in this city can be as little as £600 (not greatest area but safer than sharing a house with a psychopath) so cheaper than the price you've been given for refuge.

I know your income is tied up in the house (nice trick of his to make it so you feel you are financially unable to leave, even if emotionally ready) but perhaps if you stop contributing to the marital home - because you are paying your own rent and bills for a safe place for you and DD - it will force your bastard husband to get the house sold before it gets repossessed. Whilst you are still helping to pay the mortgage and bills, what incentive does he have to sell up? He still has his house, and his victim there to torment (not to mention what I remember about the way he treats your children.)

Whatever you do, Sep, please keep getting support and talking to people (whether here or in RL) as that will help you to maintain perspective, and help to stop you getting sucked into his sick mindset.

Wishing you all the best to get away from that evil excuse for a man.

garlicfrother · 15/02/2012 16:58

£229 a week for a refuge??!

Oh, I'm so very sorry :( This is the second thread I've been on where the system has failed a woman leaving an abusive home. You must feel crushed.

Oh, don't give up please! Can your sister help? Can any of the other helplines?

If you stay with your sister, would you be able to rent a small place after a while - if you don't pay the bills on the house? Your son knows he's free to move with you, doesn't he?

separated · 15/02/2012 17:06

Yes.229 per week and it would have been a heck of a lot of travelling to work and my daughter's school.
I have been advised to just remove my money from joint account and stop paying the bills but, whilst we still have this house, my son wants to stay in it. It wouldn't be right for me to do this. I still want to do the right thing. It's how I rise above husband's behaviour. I am jointly liable for the debts anyway.
Husband isn't dragging his feet re house sale. In fact, to an outsider it would appear that I am. Not the case, but I am pretty low at the moment.
My sister was brilliant last time (well remembered) and is being extremely supportive again.

OP posts:
separated · 15/02/2012 17:08

Sister lives in a different part of the country. I cannot leave my job, it's my lifeline. Also, daughter and son need the stability of their current school. I just really need to stay local.
If my husband had an ounce of decency, he would have moved out.

OP posts:
QueenOfProcrastination · 15/02/2012 17:23

Okay, got to stay local (totally understand about importance of stability for DC, not to mention keeping you in job that keeps you sane amidst bastard husband's twattery) and you don't want to put your son's home at risk by stopping your contributions to household bills and debts. Are any of the debts just in your name? In which case you could contact them and try to arrange to reduce the payments (explain you will be a single parent and lack £ to keep paying current amount) so you could still honour finanacial commitments you made with BH (bastard husband) but still live separately. If you do this for anything in you name alone, BH wouldn't need to know anything until you and DD have moved out.

If all debt is in joint names, and you think BH wants you out and won't hurt you if he knows you're making plans to leave, then you could speak to bank and your creditors to explain you are separating and house is on the market and you'll settle all debts on sale of house if they'll accept reduced payments in the meantime to enable you to live separately.

If BH had an ounce of decency, he would have left in August 2010. Unforunately I suspect he likes this current situation as he gets to torment you daily, and see the effects his behaviour has had on you physical and emotional health.

Will keep thinking of ways out

separated · 15/02/2012 17:27

Thank you. I have an appointment somewhere soon which may help.

OP posts:
QueenOfProcrastination · 15/02/2012 17:32

Just thought - is it half term for you (teacher?) and your DC this week? Could you arrange a short trip to your sister's for you and the DC so you can get away for a couple of days to be looked after and give you space to think and organise a way out?

If you can find something near to your sister's house that would be irresistible for your DS (indoor ski slope / football match or gig he's love to go to) so he comes along too then it would be a great opportunity to show your DS how good it could be if it were just you, DD and DS. Until you're out of the oppressive atmosphere on an abusive home / broken relationship it can be difficult to realise the impact it has had on you. Maybe he'll start to change his mind about remaining in the house until it is sold, especially if he's more aware of what he'll be missing WHEN you and DD move out.

thebody · 15/02/2012 17:50

May b wrong to suggest but can't u blackmail him, unless he leaves you are making public his inappropriate behaviour at work?

You can always really do it anyway at a later date.

QueenOfProcrastination · 15/02/2012 17:52

Just sent you a PM Sep