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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

domestic violence - seen by my son

109 replies

awana · 18/10/2012 23:00

Been thrown / shoved across the room tonight by DH for closing his computer when I tried to talk to him and he ignored/ shouted at me. 2nd time onto DS who is 3 and witness everything. Of course he was very upset. I dn't think he was hurt though.

It hasn't happened often, but DS's done physical abuse once before. It's mainly been mental abuse - difficult for me because he meanness effects my health. Tried to call Women's aid and all they have said to do is go to a refuge. i've got a severe bed / house bound disability, so it will be impossible to maintain this in the long term by myself and DS. Any big emotinal jolt will cause me to get worse right now.

DH did apologise, but then tried to blame me for goading him into this, and then said I lost my temper so I deserved it (I didn't x2).

Don't know what to do...any hints on encouragin a DH to leave?!

Should i call police and log it? I'm concerned about my DS having seen this (it's the 2nd time) I dont feel in a position to leave, and don't think it the physical stuff will happen very often, only when he's really narked. He's just not very nice as a person and this has all happened since my DS was born, and my illness came on then as well-he was an absolute nightmare.

He used to be in a 6 figure job, bu has been out of work for the last 2 years and only worked for 5 months in that. Not really tryng to get any work either. It's like he's having a big sulk cos my son was born. He doesn't do much around the house, and spends his time on facebook. we have to get a cleaner in even though we're on the last of our savings!

Told a couple of friends but they chose not to believe me / belittle it - he puts on a really good front and is lovely to everyone. Really gutted as I thought they were good friends.

Sorry about the ramble. Was hoping to get some practical advice. thanks for reading

OP posts:
Jux · 27/10/2012 12:11

I bet you are relieved! This alone will help you cope with everything a little bit better than you thought you would at first. Well done! You've already made great strides towards your new life. The advocate can probably help you in so many ways (I don't know exactly what they do tbh, but I know they are good to have!) and might be able to help you work out benefits as well as CSA and so on.

Oh well done, awana, well done!

Jux · 27/10/2012 12:12

You know, I am delighted for you! I am grinning all over my face!

HissyByName · 27/10/2012 12:14

When you get rid of abusers in your life, no matter what 'title' the hold, your life ALWAYS improves.

Crappy people damage our happiness.

I'm immeasurably happier after cutting out sister and dad. I'm also distancing myself from mum. Ytrust me, it's the right thing to do. You need support not idiots to knock you down all the time.

Stand up and ROAR at their cruelty, disfunction and stupidity!

GossipWitch · 27/10/2012 12:20

You do not deserve to be treated like this, your son does not need to see this, he is three, are you sure there is no way out?, do you not have friends or family you can stay with?, what about getting him out?, can you do that?, I would certainly ring the police even if it is just to log it, this is domestic abuse, I know in my case the police managed to convince my ex husband to leave the house for a few days just to let me calm down, this was all I needed to pack all of his stuff and leave it out side for him to collect, I had my family stay with me so that he couldn't return with out a fight. You really need to do something, call womens aid ask there advise, please do something, you cant keep going on like this.

GossipWitch · 27/10/2012 12:34

Sorry I should read the entire thread before posting. well done awana I hope things turn out as good as they can for you :)

awana · 03/11/2012 20:40

all its been a week since I wrote so apologies, I thought I was strong enough to cope with this all after the first hurdle, but please, hold my hand. things are getting so tough!

having major battles with SS both adult and child who are refusing support to help me as a parent. Child SS has said that unless i can look after DS they are going to consider letting DH have him, and otherwise foster care.

They're both round on tuesday as . I asked them 4 suport as a parent took this to mean that i wasn't coping or capable.

My health is complete shite - ME and of course in the middlre of a relapse.

DH is to make out that I'm the violent one, and has got my family on side.
Mum has made this into a crisis about her, 'her heart is racing so much that she might have to go to the doctor'. even though she let DH have access to son on thursday without my knowledge or agreement. she came round today and got cross that i said that he didn't love DS or she would help more, so let me to fend for myself.

got a major rant from my dear sis:
^"You risk losing your son.

DH has a legal right to see his son, and from what I understand, he has been the chief carer of you both for the past three years. You say DS is not safe with DH but neither Mum nor I can believe this. In fact, the longer this goes on, the greater the detrimental impact this will have on your beautiful son.

What is clear is that you are not capable of looking after DS on your own. Not only do you have CFS/ME, which incapacitates you, but also you refuse your consultant?s advice about treatment. By continually depending on Mum for childcare, you are demonstrating that you cannot look after DS on your own.

Furthermore, if what DH has told me is true, then the evidence against you with regards to DS's happiness, wellbeing and safety does not look good. It is not for me to judge whether or not what he has told me is true or not ? it is a matter for the courts to decide.

But I would suggest that you are playing a very dangerous game ? the serious ­physical, emotional and financial ramifications of which to all involved could be avoided. DH still, after all this, wants to look after you and DS You risk throwing away the one person in your life who wants to be with you and is willing and able to care for you both.

My hunch is that you are not seeing things straight at the moment ? and need help to do so. I think you have some emotional traumas, which probably go back a long way, and which need to be dealt with.

I understand why you don't want to seek psychotherapeutic help ? there are huge taboos around it and the prospect can be very scary. Most of all, though, I think you fear taking a long hard look at yourself and recognising the responsibility you have for your own life. Once you start the therapeutic process, however, you?ll realise you have nothing to fear. Psychotherapy is not about blame or fault or right and wrong but about helping you fulfil your potential and live a happier life.

As your sister, I do know you and would say that you really do need this help. My thoughts on this do not just come out of the recent situation, but from almost forty years of being your sister. Therapy can help you to understand the very strong feelings you have and make them bearable. It can also help you to find clarity in the thoughts you have and in the way you see the world. Do it for yourself and DS."^

Of course I realise this emotional blackmail, but I still am concerned about the level of conspiracy and collusion. It's hard not to get upset when something so nasty comes along.

Additionally there's a lot of untruths here. I have had DV counselling the last year , and also tried to get more counselling from DR, as well as sign me and DS for support now.

you were all right about families - I can't beleive it!

I guess I'm emotionally v raw and becuase of this I have little energy (ME) to try and do everything. what do i tackle first???!!

OP posts:
Jux · 03/11/2012 23:32

0808 2000 247. Women's Aid. Now. If you don't get through, keep trying. Keep trying as long as you can, and then start again in the morning.

First thing Monday find a family law solicitor and have your free half hour consultation.

How was your advocate? Get hold of them, and get them to be there on Tuesday.

What about your psychiatric evaluation? Do you have, or can you get, the result to put paid to this stuff about your mh.

How about the dv counselling? Do you have, or can you get, some sort of confirmation? Were you referred by a dv Unit? Have you ever called the police due to dh's violence?

It might be - if there is a place and it is offered to you - that your best bet in the short term is to go to a refuge. From what I've heard, they're really kind, friendly, helpful and supportive places, so no need to be scared. Once you're there, you will be put in touch with good, experienced professionals.

So, Women's Aid first. As I said, do it now.

SolidGoldYESBROKEMYSPACEBAR · 03/11/2012 23:37

POK, your DS has a right to see his father BUT you have a right to be free of your horrible H. As others have said, get onto Women's Aid, get your advocate to help you with the key point: that your relationship with abusive H is over and while you will not block him from seeing DS, you will not share your life or your home with him.

Jux · 03/11/2012 23:40

Sorry, just reread some of your posts, and you called the cops very recently, which is a very good thing for you. One more thing you can say in your own favour should it come to it.

Don't be scared of the refuge. They said you could go into one before, so with luck they'll be able to get into one now.

Otherwise fight for that advocate to be there. I don't know how advocates work, but maybe yours could see you on Monday and go through everything with you, so you're both strongly together on Tuesday.

So sorry your family are shit. Don't tell them another thing. At the moment, I think you would be better off without your mum's help. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, get Women's Aid on the phone.

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