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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:
NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 09:35

Thanks everybody, I'm actually in North Glos (does that count as the west country? It sure isn't the Midlands! Grin). I have workmates I can call on in an absolute emergency, in any case both my work and DD's nursery are in the same town we live in so it makes sense to stay local. Thank you all for such kind offers.

Typically, the car sounds like its on the fritz, AND I've left my phone charger in the office and my battery is low. It's a tiny office so there's no way I could sneak in without being spotted.

Before I left to take DD to nursery I rang the OOH line and a Dr rang me back just as I got back. I told him what happened (incl it being caused by husband) and he just told me to rest my knee and take painkillers. That was it. Didn't acknowledge what I'd just said to him. At least CARP will be ringing me later (on my mob if the bloody battery lasts!).

I'm sat in bed with a cuppa and the cat, following Dr's advice and resting my knee. Trying to see the positive, at least I can sort out the stuff for this weekend's NCT sale and get some studying done if I can concentrate for long enough. Really feel like the ball is in husband's court, I'm almost intrigued to see what he does next - grovel or go straight to his solicitor.

OP posts:
CuttedUpPear · 25/04/2012 09:38

Nini are you going to change the locks? I'd hate to think of you going through this again in a few days.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 09:49

Probably not at the moment pear, it sounds really pathetic but I know how he works so I think it might be a bit extreme.

When this (or similar) has happened before, he usually goes into 'puppy dog' mode and acts all downtrodden and hard done by so it looks like he's the hurt party. He certainly won't be violent again, at least not for a long while.

OP posts:
GossipWitch · 25/04/2012 09:51

You know when i called the police on my ex for pouring coffee over my head, after three years of abuse, i didn't see him for nearly a year, his mother would pick up ds and take him to him for weekends, it was lovely, now i have the upper hand and he's quick to apologise if i take offence at anything he says, i also gave an avon customer the same advise a few years ago, and she's also happily rid of her ex and living a lovely life with her new adorable husband.

please call the police op please.

WhatTheCatDraggedIn · 25/04/2012 09:58

Nini - you might know "how he works" but also you might not.

I was following your other thread and was worried about you, it sounds like a terrible relationship with a terrible man.

I'm guessing the majority of women seriously injured or killed by their partners didn't seriously believe that their partners "won't be violent again, at least not for a long while".

I have no personal experience but I would counsel you to listen to the posters here, and to listen to CARP.

Don't minimise the seriousness of what he has done to you, the is NOT NORMAL.

NicknameTaken · 25/04/2012 09:59

Glad you're taking action. Definitely get it logged with the police - it doesn't to be 999, sirens blaring. You can just pop into the station and make a statement, get them to take photos. I went to the police when my ex dislocated my finger. It popped back in, but there was a lot of bruising. I didn't leave him then - he persuaded me it was an accident. Six months later when I did, it made me feel on firmer ground when it came to a dispute over child residence. You need evidence, or down the line, it's just your word against his.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 10:12

gossip that's interesting about logistics with visitations, although tbh having to see FIL makes me just as mad as seeing husband. I'll worry about that when it comes to it, thanks for letting me know.

I'll speak to CARP at lunchtime and follow exactly what they tell me, no worries there :) Right now I'm actually feeling surprisingly strong, I'm sure that'll change. I need to ring my boss again and tell him I've been told to rest my knee so I won't be in today.

Feeling a bit sad again as I've just realised DD is 15 months old today. It's amazing what a difference that time has made to my life Sad.

Thanks again everyone. I couldn't be where I am without you.

OP posts:
ThatVikRinA22 · 25/04/2012 10:14

hi.

what is stopping you from contacting police nini? im in the police, DV is taken seriously and you should be treated sympathetically.

if you have never reported him before you should, you really should. you should do it at the time so he gets to see the inside of a cell for a while and realise he isnt a big man....but a pathetic wife beater. he has assaulted you. i know its easy to say phone the police, but really, you should.

what do you think will happen now nini? have you tried phoning womens aid before? their number is on the top of the page

horsetowater · 25/04/2012 10:20

Nini you will have to make this happen if it's going to happen at all. He is not going to change and he will be violent again. The relationship is at its end - he has broken the contract of trust. You are tired and drained and going for the easy option, that's understandable. Go to the doctors or the hospital, call a cab and get this violence on record - and get your leg looked at properly.

Find a way round this. Get a cab to the hospital, get someone to pick up your phone charger. Get someone else to pick up dd so that you don't have to rush back. Get the support you need - call womens aid at least.

cestlavielife · 25/04/2012 10:22

you need to go to A and E or GP to get your injuries recorded and photogrpahed by independent witness. this is really imporant.
you need to report to police and get a crime refernce/incidentnumber.

and you need to not let him back!

foolonthehill · 25/04/2012 10:30

please call your local police DV team.

I did, it changed my life...they "understood", they told me how to change my locks (and told me to do it) they gave me local info. They listened and as they listened I realised that my relationship WAS NOT OK. not by anyone's standards...except apparently mine.

Don't protect your OH, he does not deserve it, tell work he caused the knee, tell A and E. You will find surprisingly few people judge you...except you. If you let them in they can help and support you and you will realise that you are best off without him.

Keep him out please. He's nasty and violent. It took me 13 years and lots of children and I stayed until my Oh started on the DCs Sad I also thought I knew him and that he wouldn't........

HolofernesesHead · 25/04/2012 10:39

Hope you're okay. Just one other thought - (maybe a bit OTT) - is it worth taking a photo of your knee / an other bruising etc, because you spoke to a GP on the phone who didn't actually see the damge? If it comes to it it could be good evidence that this really did happen.

Cluffyfunt · 25/04/2012 11:00

Oh my lovely Sad

You do know this isn't right, don't you?

Your H has given you absolutely no reason to believe that he will change. This is because he won't. Well not for the better anyway.

He hurt you.
He doesn't care about upsetting your little DD- the tosser seems to think nothing of upsetting her to piss you off.

Take a step back and look at it, maybe change the players in this situation to a person you care about playing you.

What advise would you give them?

How would you feel to see someone you love treated in this way?

You can bet your arse you wouldn't down play it then.

It's hard to get angry and stick to your guns when you are in the fog of an abusive relationship.

dreamingbohemian · 25/04/2012 12:11

I agree that you can't assume what he will do next, based on anything that happened before. I've read your other thread as well and it really looks like things are escalating.

Please, please call the police.

Don't wait to see what he does, YOU need to take control now. You have a tiny baby to protect.

NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 12:58

Well, nobody's rung me. I'm sat here with the phone. Sad

OP posts:
ThatVikRinA22 · 25/04/2012 12:59

who are CARP?

have you tried womens aid?

foolonthehill · 25/04/2012 13:00

Phone them, again.

foolonthehill · 25/04/2012 13:01

These resources are stretched to their limit...I waited 4 months for a support worker...police are quicker and will put you on the faster track for Women's Aid, locally.

horsetowater · 25/04/2012 13:04

Nini have you looked at any of the literature on abuse? There's a fair bit on the WA website. There is a predictable pattern with these men, it's worth understanding about this so you know what to expect.

Try the Emotional Abuse thread -there's a lot of online stuff there on the OPost.

foolonthehill · 25/04/2012 13:09

emotional abuse thread 8

dreamingbohemian · 25/04/2012 13:10

Who are CARP?

Honestly, call the police.

You are alone, now is the time to do it.

boredandrestless · 25/04/2012 13:16

Please call the police. Do it for your DD. x

NiniLegsInTheAir · 25/04/2012 14:04

I've rung 101 and the lovely lady on the line said she's passing it to our local force who will send someone out for a chat. I'm not sure when though. Can't believe I broke down on the phone to her.

Not sure what I'm feeling at the moment really. I just keep thinking about DD, I won't bring her up in a house where her Dad is a tosser like I had to when I was growing up. She deserves better than that.

BTW, the cat has been my own little support worker, everytime I cry she runs straight to me. :)

Thanks all.

OP posts:
dreamingbohemian · 25/04/2012 14:15

Well done!!!

You have done the absolute best thing for your little girl. You both need help and to make sure this man cannot hurt you again.

The coming days will be hard but in the long run you will be so much better off, just keep focusing on that fact.

boredandrestless · 25/04/2012 14:24

Well done Nini!!

It doesn't matter how he behaves after, him hurting you so much so he has injured you and you are in pain the next day needs to be the line in the sand. Think of it as taking a stand for your DD, you are so right, she deserves better than to grow up with this going on around her. Hopefully a little while along the line you will realise YOU deserve better too. (((hug)))

When you speak to police be honest, tell them everything, make a statement. Hitting you in bed, pushing you towards boiling pan, everything - not just the major incident part of it. They may also know of a local domestic violence agency which you may be able to get in touch with more easily than the national phone line for women's aid.

Your cat sounds more like a dog than a cat! Grin It's lovely she is so loyal and caring towards you.

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