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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

Big problems with DP's family - help!

132 replies

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 10:49

Please can somebody advise me.

Earlier this year we moved house. The reason ostensibly was because we wanted somewhere bigger, in the catchment area for a good school, but the real reason was because we wanted to get away from my BIL.

He is unemployed and was coming round to our house most days to eat dinner and verbally abuse us. He would pick fights by saying provocative, usually racist, things and then call us terrible names if we got irritated. My DP just wouldn?t or couldn?t deal with it (?He?s depressed. We have to be nice to him. I?m not going to turn my own brother away from my door? etc.). In the last year or so before we moved he started turning up in the day when DP was at work. Sometimes it was ok. For a while I even (naively) though we were friends. Sometimes he would harangue me to the point of tears. I remember once standing in the street with him, I don?t know where we?d been, as he ranted and raved at me whilst I sobbed and felt wretched. I don?t remember any of the details of what he said, just him screaming at me and calling me a cocksucker (nice, I know!).

One day I made the mistake of calling on him at his house. To cut a long story short, he raped me. I didn?t tell anybody in RL. My DP?s family have never liked me and I highly doubt they?d have believed me. I wasn?t even sure my DP would believe me (I didn?t fight and it would?ve been my word against his). It would have ripped the whole family apart. I?ve since spoken to Rape Crisis who said the case probably wouldn?t make it to court if I ever went to the police because I didn?t tell anybody at the time (they also told me it?s quite usual, and often safer, not to fight).

After that he started following me and hassling me when I was out and about. Sometimes he?d want to borrow money, sometimes he?d have a go at me, sometimes he?d proposition me. I told DP about it, and about the money and the verbal abuse, but not the propositioning. DP still did nothing, but that was when we started talking about moving house (I sent him numerous texts asking him not to approach me unless I was with DP).

After we moved I dug my heels in and flatly refused to have him in the house, and DP, whilst not fully understanding, respected this, but I had to go back to our old neighbourhood daily to take DS to nursery and quite often he would wait outside the nursery for me. One day he followed me half a mile down the road, trying to persuade me to let him come back with me to the house, or go for a walk with him in the park, or go back to his house. DP still did nothing. Desperately hoping for some support from somebody in the family, I mentioned it to my SIL and a few days later got an e-mail from my other BIL, her husband, saying that I was ?twisting reality? and basically that I?ve been mean and horrible for ?not accepting his olive branch? and for cutting him out of DS?s life (of course he was seeing DS almost daily before) (which I haven?t done, as DP still takes DS to see him when he can ? quite often he doesn?t pick up the phone when DP calls him to arrange a visit) and that they don?t want anything more to do with me. So I think it?s safe to say they wouldn?t have believed me regarding the rape. In the end we took DS out of that nursery and moved him to a local one.

Anyway, DS?s birthday is approaching and I?m being put under a lot of pressure from both my DP and my own parents to hold for him the sort of party that is traditional in DP?s family ? one where you invite all the family around to your house for sandwiches and cake ? and invite my BIL. DP thinks we need to ?build bridges? (I think my MIL is putting pressure on him), and my parents think I?m being stubborn because I simply don?t like the guy (and that I?m putting undue strain on my relationship with my DP) (I've not told them the truth either, because I?m sure they?d see it as my fault ? they always have whenever I?ve gotten into trouble). They are saying they won?t come if I don?t invite my BIL.

What do I do? Having him ?anywhere near me-- in my house is anathema to me, but how can I avoid it when even my own parents won?t back me up?

OP posts:
TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:29

Cognito, if ever another woman made a complaint about him I'd be straight down the police station to back up their story and sod the consequences.

If I go the police now all that will happen is they'll interview him, Rape Crisis said it's highly unlikely they'll prosecute him without even circumstantial evidence e.g. me having confided to a friend what happened or something, and all that's going to do is aggravate him and probably not have good consequences for me.

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nailak · 06/11/2012 11:30

we believe you.

MortimersRaven · 06/11/2012 11:31

He won't want to hear it, and it will be very hard. But you can't expect DP to understand unless you tell him what happened. You don't have to announce it to the whole family if you don't want to, but IMO you need someone in RL to support you in your reasons for blocking this man from your life.

If your DP can't support you through this, then what is he there for?

Badvoc · 06/11/2012 11:32

You need to tell your partner.
Please don't let your child near him.
Do you have proof he is stalking you?
Can you record him on your phone if he is verbally abusive again?
I really dont think much of your partner letting you be treated like this by his brother...he just let him verbally abuse you when he came to your old house?
I believe you.
It's not your fault.
Please go to the police.
At least make a complaint.

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:34

Thank you nailak.

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NotQuintAtAllOhNo · 06/11/2012 11:35

Your BIL is harassing you. Your dp, and his entire family is siding with your BIL, supporting the harassment.

To be honest, I would move as far away from this toxic and horrible family as I possibly could.

Can you talk to the police about the harassment, and get a restraining order or something?

AlienRefluxovermypoppy · 06/11/2012 11:35

It's so so hard for you, but this man is a menace to women.

I would not be surprised to learn he's done this before.

My heart breaks that you think your parents wouldn't believe you, do you really think your DP wouldn't either?

Regardless, DO NOT let him near your home, let your survival instincts take over, he's dangerous ffs.

I really think you need to take a deep breath, tell your DP, and say that you want to tell the police, and would appreciate his support, it's the least you deserve, I'm astonished he never stuck up for you through the verbal abuse when he was there?!

Please take the power back, how much worse can it get?

waltermittymissus · 06/11/2012 11:36

You did NOT do anything to contribute to this.

You didn't develop an inappropriate friendship. You put up with your partner's waster of a brother. Even if your conversations were 'intimate' he has NO RIGHT TO YOUR BODY. There is no part of this that you are at fault for. You must allow yourself to believe that. He did something TO you not WITH you.

The family think we fell out because he was constantly at our house eating our food, taking borrowing our money and making a nuisance of himself.

This would be reason enough to fall out with the bastard. He is bad news. A dangerous criminal and not someone you should feel you have to be around. Or have around your child.

Try to find a way to tell your partner. Are you afraid to face his reaction? Give him a chance to do the right thing. If he doesn't step up he's NOT WORTH IT.

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:36

And thank you badvoc.

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 06/11/2012 11:36

"If I go the police now all that will happen is they'll interview him, Rape Crisis said it's highly unlikely they'll prosecute him without even circumstantial evidence e.g. me having confided to a friend what happened or something, and all that's going to do is aggravate him and probably not have good consequences for me. "

Go to the police, tell your 'D'P, get it out in the open, tell the truth and shame the devil. Keeping this rapist's secret means your life is currently hell ... what consequences could there be that are worse than the way it is now?

waltermittymissus · 06/11/2012 11:38

Though I agree with the PP.

What sort of partner is he, to allow his brother treat you this way?!

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:41

I am afraid of my partner's reaction, yes. We now have a lovely home and have just started to be happy again. I just want it all to go away.

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NotQuintAtAllOhNo · 06/11/2012 11:41

"You didn't develop an inappropriate friendship. You put up with your partner's waster of a brother."

Just that. He was not your friend. He is a predator and a creep. You put up with him because he is your partners brother. And even your partner is asking that you put up with him.

Your partner is helping his brother abuse you.

NotQuintAtAllOhNo · 06/11/2012 11:42

It wont go away. Not unless you put a stop to it.

What does a lovely home matter, when your life is shit?

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:43

My DP was weak.

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DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 06/11/2012 11:44

I believe you. I am sorry this terrible thing has happened and how this man has got away with it and persists in blighting your life.

I have no experience of this but I am surprised about what the Rape Crisis told you about it not being prosecutable.

If you reconsider telling your DP, prepare what you tell him. Be prepared for any reaction from shock, support, anger at his brother or you, disbelief, grief.

I think you fear he may ask and I know this is revolting did you fancy BIL and is this revelation some kind of reaction now to BIL nobly spurning you. I understand the initial reaction is often coloured by shock and distress and in the heat of the moment things are said and later regretted. If you are honest and don't evade any questions your DP has to weigh up what you mean to him against his brother. As Gintonic said upthread, do you need help from Rape Crisis in telling DP this?

If he believes you and supports you as I hope he would, he may decide to tell nobody but confront his brother. Or he may tell his family. They may be appalled or, disgusting as it is, side with BIL and call you a fantasist. But this current situation can't continue, how can you bear it.

I would think about telling the police and definitely see about counselling for yourself.

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:46

N.B. He is not following me and stuff anymore. I haven't seen him for over 4 months. The problem is DP wants to start up regular contact again, with this birthday party being the launch pad.

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NotQuintAtAllOhNo · 06/11/2012 11:48

And what will starting up regular contact again mean?

You being verbally abused in the street? Having no privacy in your home any more?

I cant believe your partner is putting you through this. First he is failing to protect your from his brother. You have to MOVE HOUSE to get away from him, your dp rather move than support you. And now, he wants things to resume to the way they were before you moved?

What sort of spineless dick is he?

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:55

He wouldn't be able to come round every day as we have moved far enough away that he won't be able to get to our house unless somebody gives him a lift or lends him the money for the bus fare, but once a week, once every two weeks, once a month...it would still be too much for me. The thought of having him in my personal space now makes my skin crawl.

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TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 11:59

Maybe you are right and I have to tell my DP at some point, but I want time to think about it, I don't want to be rushed into it by the deadline imposed by this possible birthday party. I will think about going back to Rape Crisis and getting counselling, they offered it but I said no, because on learning he wouldn't be prosecuted I thought it was best to try and put it all behind me.

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waltermittymissus · 06/11/2012 12:15

Counselling will help a lot with dealing with this, putting it to rest.

But putting it to rest doesn't mean pretending it never happened and allowing your partner, his vile brother and his whole toxic family bully and abuse you.

Your partner has already done you a great diservice by allowing anyone to treat you this way. He doesn't sound like a good partner. So I can understand your fear.

But while you keep it quiet, the only one suffering for it is you. And that's not fair. You are the VICTIM and shouldn't have to carry this burder alone.

Don't feel pressured by the party to tell him. Do it when you're ready. But...don't feel pressured to HAVE a party and especially don't feel pressured to have scum like that at it!

If your partner (or parents) cannot respect your wishes then their feelings aren't worth worrying about. How old is your ds?

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 12:26

DS is 4.

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Gintonic · 06/11/2012 12:27

Anyone know if there is a rape support thread on MN where the OP might get some support from people who have been through this before? I can't find one.

For what it's worth I totally understand you not wanting to go to the police, I think your priority is finding a way to tell your DP so that you can cut this man out of your life for good.

People up thread have criticised your DP but he does not know what scum his brother is - the only person to blame here is your BIL and your DP would probably feel absolutely terrible for forcing you and your DS to have contact with him if he knew the truth.

It is normal for rape victims to feel guilty and ashamed, please try and understand this is not your fault. Your BIL has manipulated you by creating a friendship and then abusing it.

waltermittymissus · 06/11/2012 12:30

Gin I think some of us don't understand her partner's insistence on keeping his brother in their lives when he's treated kindness so abominably right in front of him. But, that is not the main issue here.

Kindness your ds is young enough to enjoy his birthday no matter who is there. Take him out and spoil him for the day if you wish. But please don't feel pressured to let this animal into your home.

Your new home is your safe place, somewhere he hasn't tainted. I understand that. Don't give it up to people who don't fully understand what they're asking of you.

TheKindnessOfStrangers · 06/11/2012 12:53

"People up thread have criticised your DP but he does not know what scum his brother is - the only person to blame here is your BIL and your DP would probably feel absolutely terrible for forcing you and your DS to have contact with him if he knew the truth" - I wish I could be sure about this. Last year we went to Relate counselling for a bit and the counsellor, to whom we told only a fraction of the story, said he had to decide who his loyalty is to: the family he grew up in or me and DS. I don't think he ever did make that decision.

Does anybody have any suggestions for alternative things we could do with DS on his birthday? Is there any way we can avoid pissing off my MIL and parents (e.g. an event we could conceivably invite them to but not my BIL)?

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