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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

So...what to do when he hits you and claims he hasn't? LONG

364 replies

NiniLegsInTheAir · 24/04/2012 20:39

Related to:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1448343--to-expect-DH-not-to-deliberately-wake-me-up-early-in-the-mornings

And to a lesser extent on and off here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/1451592-Red-flags-I-should-have-heeded-share-yours-for-womenkind

So, 5am this morning he starts screaming at the cat (who is on the windowsill (sometimes she scratches the woodwork but wasn't this morning). He started banging the bed violently with his hands so I told him to get a grip and he punched me on the arm. Which hurt.

He gets up at 6:15 and stomps around the house like he always does (this is where the first thread is relevant), and at half 6 goes into DD's room to get his workclothes - he refuses to sort them out the evening before. And like always, he disturbs her, she thinks he's going to pick her up so when he leaves she starts screaming and crying. So I told him off for waking her and he throws some clothes at me and shouts at me.

I've been stewing all day about the ridiculous morning situation (and how my eyes have been opened by being on this site the last few weeks). So when I got home I moved my clothes into the wardrobe in DD's room, put his clothes on our bed (to sort out after having put DD to bed). So I put her to bed and go downstairs. I put dinner on. Suddenly he walks through the door, a good half hour earlier than normal (and he claimed he was gonna be late tonight).

He comes in, breezy and talking to me normally, which gets my back up straight away. I was a bit frosty so he goes straight upstairs (WHY OH WHY did I not tell him about the clothing arrangement then?! I'm such a fucking idiot). Next thing I know is I hear DD crying.

So I go upstairs. He's playing with her in her cot. She's supposed to be settling to sleep (she's 14 months). He knows that. I asked him "What are you doing?" He says "I'm playing with her." I say "She's supposed to be sleeping." Then I go back downstairs to finish putting dinner on.

Within a few mins I hear her screaming the place down as he's obviously left her now. Not impressed particularly with that. Then there's a great crash from our bedroom. He comes flying downstairs shouting at me "There's mud everywhere now!" I said "What? Why is there mud upstairs?" (a bit confused). He then starts yelling about me moving the clothes and how because of me the clothing rail has broken (no shit Sherlock, its been broken for most of the 3 YEARS I've been using it). So I said to him "You're being too noisy for DD. Why is she crying?" He shouts even louder that he "doesn't fucking know", slams the cupboard door by my foot that he's just taken the dustpan out of and almost knocks me into the boiling saucepan I've got in front of me on the hob.

So I lost it a bit and squared up to him. Can't remember quite what I said - bit of a red mist - something along the lines of being sick to death of him etc etc. So he shoulders me and I went back at him. Then he grabbed me and threw me into the dining room floor, knocking my back and my right knee. And he's screaming at me for "scratching his neck" and how I should "never fight him when he's bigger and stronger than me". I started crying at this point (tears of angry but also my knee was agony) got back up and just let rip with what I thought of him. How much I hate him. How I'm sick to death of him for a whole host of reasons and I won't tolerate being hit by him again. He claims he never hit me. I was totally shocked that he DARED tell me he didn't punch me in the arm this morning. According to him it never happened, please tell me I'm NOT going crazy!

I then let rip, told him exactly what I think of him, what a tosser he is, how worthless he makes me feel, how much I hate him, that it's all over. I told him to stop gaslighting me (ahh how sweet it was to see the confused look on his face when he didn't understand the term Grin). I told him not to come home tomorrow night as I need some space - "I'm not going anywhere" he said. I told him the door would be locked if he came home (not smart I know). I eventually had to back down and went to the kitchen, finished dinner and ate it alone while he swept up the mud upstairs. Our poor cat was so spset, she kept meowing and rubbing around my legs. I was slumped against the sink and she stood on her back legs and took my hand with both her front paws, it was amazing Shock.

He's now in the bath on the phone and I'm in the bedroom. My right knee is in agony, it's red and feels swollen already (I have bad knees anyway, any knock to them causes this kind of pain). DD is still awake, I went in to her afterwards and cuddled her, she was happily chatting away to me. I can't believe we dragged this innocent little soul into such a shitty life, what kind of mother am I. It's making me weep Sad. The cat is curled up closely next to me.

Turns out the 'mud' was from my little giant sunflower I've been growing for DD that was on the mantelpiece. He swept up the dirt on his stuff but has left any that fell on anything of mine. Just shows what he thinks of me. I'm worthless to him. Sad

I don't know what to do know. My head is in tatters, I can't think straight, I've just written this as it's come to me and it happened over an hour ago. I dont have anywhere to go or anyone to talk to. I will probably sleep in with DD tonight to make sure he doesn't steal her away or something in the morning. Please help!

OP posts:
gingerchick · 03/05/2012 18:46

This is why you need the non mol because then if is literally not allowed down your street, would change the locks anyway to be honest what's he gonna do? Sorry your little one is poorly poor soul and poor you on top of everything else take care x

gingerchick · 03/05/2012 18:47

he

dreamingbohemian · 03/05/2012 18:47

This is why you need to go to a solicitor NOW. You need a non-molestation order.

I would change the locks anyway, but that's just me.

I don't know who CARP are but they seem a bit of a waste of time, what you need is a solicitor and the police.

dreamingbohemian · 03/05/2012 18:49

Also, I bet HE doesn't know you're not supposed to change the locks.

You don't even have to change them over entirely, just put in a new chain or slide lock above the ones you have.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 03/05/2012 19:21

bohemian CARP are a local DV group connected to the police.

I left the crime incident number and my name for the copper, saying there had been further developments and I needed to talk.

I'm looking up solicitors details as we speak :)

OP posts:
tenkas10 · 03/05/2012 20:40

Read through and i recently went through same experience - violence and anger by partner but him insisting he did nothing and i brought it on, completely making light of any smacks / punches etc. The usual DV stuff that fucks with your head. I have a DD too of 4 yrs old. The non mol order worked for me however it has ended up being quite expensive as i was not eligible for CLS even now as a single parent on one income. (I think their criteria are really tight and i went through a domestic violence agency that arranges solitors for you). Sometimes its just cheaper to go through the police than an actual solicitor. The game playing never ever ends - but i guess how you deal with it changes when you are breathing your own air and not feeling scared anymore. you see things for what they are. My situation is similar re: joint mortgage (him not paying) but also being both liable regardless of who pays. My DD got very clingly for a while, sleeps in my bed a lot but our world is so much calmer. As he is not allowed in, i "lost" my keys and changed the locks. Technically as he is not allowed here - he isnt aware of it. That was unofficial advice from the solicitor.

SugarPasteHedgehog · 03/05/2012 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

21YrOldMan · 03/05/2012 21:54

The chain is an excellent idea if you don't want to change the locks, but doesn't help when he's out. I'd give serious consideration to losing my keys if I were you.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 03/05/2012 23:27

Sorry to hear you went through something similar tenkas, I hope your DD is better now. :) I don't think I'll be eligable for CLS either as I earn an OK wage (on a national level).

There are already 2 deadbolts on the door which is fine when I'm in but no good when I'm out. I have some solicitors numbers to ring tomorrow.

'Losing' the keys might be a good idea, if I can 'lose' the spare as well. ;)

OP posts:
moomoo1967 · 04/05/2012 10:41

well nini you could always say you are a "little stressed" at present with everything going on and cannot believe that you have "lost" two sets of keys Grin

Lueji · 04/05/2012 13:33

Particularly if you don't know where you lost said keys and they could easily have been picked up by someone who knows where you live. :o
Actually, every time we lose any set of keys we should change locks. Not because we don't have keys, but because someone else might have them.

foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 14:30

the police just told me to change the locks as it was my "duty" to provide a safe home for my DCs and me. £80 from a locksmith or £25 from B and Q, there's a youtube vid. of how to DIY!! HERE

It is not wrong though it is theoretically against the law if he joint owns...a non-mol order would sort that as he would not be allowed in anyway.

keep strong Nini lots of us are rooting for you

foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 14:31

sorry link is

NiniLegsInTheAir · 04/05/2012 21:45

Well he has at least listened to me tonight and not come home. Feeling sad, worn out and daunted by the challenge of keeping DD occupied on my own over the bank holiday weekend.

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 21:46

Ohhh yes the dreaded 3 day weekend.
think you could find a May Day fair somewhere???

NiniLegsInTheAir · 04/05/2012 22:00

I'm having a look now to see if there's anything local. The shitty weather forecast won't help though. And DD still isn't quite herself. :(

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 22:08

Library, hot chocolate and a DVD then...that should sort Sunday out?

NiniLegsInTheAir · 04/05/2012 22:14

Library is a great idea if I can just find her card lol! She's a bit young for hot chocolate mind and DVDs dont work for long. But library is a good idea thanks fool :)

OP posts:
foolonthehill · 04/05/2012 22:22

Even if you can't find the card the library is a great place to hole up with toddlers for a couple of hours. Just you for the chocolate then..... (imagining cream on top and maybe sprinkles)

Also when mine were little and I was without ideas I used to run a bath and put "unusual bath toys in" eg farm animals or the plastic tea set (or even my picnic ware) and have a "water-play" with no time limit set by bedtime. (side effect of clean toys, clean child and no need for bath later unless we wanted was also good!)

NiniLegsInTheAir · 04/05/2012 22:53

Just had a bit of a search and found her library card, still in the folder we got when we registered her, lol. I'll have to take her food shopping at some point (joy) but that'll kill an hour. Love the bath idea!

I might be really brave and get the paints out too! :) This could be a long and tiring weekend.

OP posts:
lemonsandlimes · 04/05/2012 23:27

Hi.

I have been a lurker here. I have never been the victim of DV and wouldn't want to claim I know how it feels. I have, however, been the victim of abuse caused by my father. There was one thing you said that really jarred me.

I guess I want an apology because I want him to recognise what he's done, not ignore it. We've been together for nearly 9 years, he owes me that. He cared for me once, I know he did, and now I feel like he looks at me like I'm nothing. I know it sounds pathetic.

I know how this feels. I long for my dad to apologise for what he has done. I want him to be a different person; to realise the error of his ways and to make amends.

It's not going to happen. And neither is your situation. Your husband has physically and verbally assaulted you on numerous occasions, and he will never be sorry for it. I'm really glad you're going down the route of solicitors and CARP.. Please try to stay strong. The classic abuser-> victim relationship centres on the victim feeling like they deserve it. I think you may have traits of this.

You will never get an apology from him. It is not the person he is. If you hold your breath for it, you will be holding it forever.

He will never be the person you want him to be, so you need to move on with your life. However hard that is.

MushroomSoup · 04/05/2012 23:28

Ooh get out in the puddles! Do some splashing Smile

NiniLegsInTheAir · 04/05/2012 23:40

I know what you mean lemonsandlimes, I was also abused (verbal and physical) by my father. :( There is a pattern there of wanted an apology you'll never get. Big hugs for you too.

Lol mushroom, the wellies may well come out too for DD :) I don't have any but I can pretend!

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 05/05/2012 03:59

Make sure your phone is charged at all times and if there is any sign that he is in the house when you return do not go in.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 05/05/2012 18:59

No contact from him yet. Today with DD wasn't too bad (despite her teething grumpiness and refusal to eat anything). I took her food shopping, which she loved, and this afternoon we went to the library, she played on the toys and we picked out some toys. She's now gone to bed and I'm watching the footy with some dinner.

My RL friend who knows is ringing me a bit later, and I'm going to do some studying. Keeping myself busy and actually feeling ok. A part of me is still a bit sad that he isn't even attempting to keep 'us' alive, but not really surprised.

OP posts: