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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

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Being heard: Sure's journey (thread 3)

925 replies

surereadyforchange · 19/11/2014 14:46

previous (2nd) thread

What to say? Abusive rapist ex reported, Police Statement given over a month ago and he is still blissfully unaware, still messaging, and nothing has happened.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
ThomasMaraJrsSubpoena · 20/12/2014 08:03

Good morning.

Echo what all the others on Team Sure have said. Can only add: you're not superwoman, and please stop doing yourself down for not being. Healing is going to take time, especially after so long of bad relationships. Please jeep this in mind: the main relationship you can control is freaking BRILLIANT! DS is wonderful, caring, thoughtful and you did that!

longtallsally2 · 20/12/2014 13:30

Just to add to the others: judging by his reaction to you in the car park, he hasn't got away with it. It sounds as if you have scared him witless - nothing else could have made him run so fast from you! No, he didn't go to court, but then you didn't have to go through that stress either - but he knows that you have reported him, that your PO considered him worthy of enquiry. If it had gone to trial and the court found him not guilty, because he smarmed his way out of it and convinced them that it was a misunderstanding, then he would have probably felt exonerated. But instead he now knows that you had the courage to stand up to him, and the strength to file a complaint, and if you can, anyone else might too. You have sentenced him to a lifetime of being careful, of making sure no one else ever reports him - and to a lifetime of being terrified to enter car parks, in case his past is there to catch up with him! Smile

surereadyforchange · 20/12/2014 20:46

Sorry guys, just been really down. Thanks for everything. Flowers

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 20/12/2014 20:56

No need to apologise to us, no need at all.
Big hugs x.
Thanks

surereadyforchange · 20/12/2014 21:20

I saw my counsellor today.
She seems to think I'm doing really well.
I don't know what I feel. Shock.
Ive deact1vated my fb because a- bitter as it is I can't look at any more happy xmas pics and b-I keep typing in his name.
I don't know what I want or where to go from here. I just want everything to be ok.

OP posts:
surereadyforchange · 20/12/2014 21:21

It doesn't feel ok at all.
I feel like the loser.

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PacificDogwood · 20/12/2014 21:29
Sad I am sorry that you feel so down.

Would a list of 'positives' help or be annoyingly Pollyannaish?

You are no longer verbally abused.
You no longer have to walk on eggshells until you see what mood he is in.
You are no longer sexually assaulted and abused.
You are free to make your own decisions.

I could go on but won't if it's annoying?

Here's another thought: freedom is very frightening. You may feel like you're floundering with little direction.

Please just keep breathing, in and out (longer on the out breath Wink), put one foot in front of the other, don't look too far back or too far forward: deal with what's in front of you.

I think your counsellor may mean that your doing 'really well' as in that how you are doing is entirely to be expected for somebody in your shoes.
Would you consider speaking to RapeCrisis about some longer-term specialist counselling? Or do the Freedom Program??

TeenyfTroon · 20/12/2014 22:46

Sure, I think you need time and distance from him. We can all see the positives, but I can understand that you are in shock and are too mentally battered and exhausted to appreciate your progress.
Can you find a way to not think, but just to be for a while? I know there are techniques for putting issues aside, like imagining yourself locking them away, not for ever, but just for now. Maybe something like that might help.
As for the positives, when we list them, do you feel you can agree with them, or do you just want to tell us to shut up? I've wondered several times if we sound like Pollyannas, as Pacific suggests.
I think it's unrealistic to expect anyone who's been through what you have to feel anything other than exhausted. Please don't expect too much of yourself. Try and concentrate on your DS. Let his love comfort you and keep imaging Team Sure supporting you. Hugs.

TeenyfTroon · 20/12/2014 22:47

I meant 'imagining', though 'imaging' sort of works! Tired now. Time for bed.

surereadyforchange · 21/12/2014 09:16

I don't mind the pollyanna stuff, it does help to be reminded of what others see. What i need to try and see.
"freedom is very frightening. You may feel like you're floundering with little direction"
Think you may be right here. If it weren't for going to my friends tomorrow I'd feel even more lost.
Like with many things, when you're used to having a constant in your life, like 'he' has been, for 5 years, when it goes it can be quite distressing.
Even when I was accused of going off with other guys, at least there was someone who actually cared, now theres nothing. *disclaimer- i do know how fucked up it is.

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 21/12/2014 09:23

He did not 'care' for you, he just 'cared' that he may lose control over you Hmm

I am very glad you've got RL friends to go to.
I'm likely going to be on MN a lot less in the next week or so, but as far as random internet strangers can be friends, please consider yourself cheered on from the sidelines even when I don't post.
SmileThanksCake

ThomasMaraJrsSubpoena · 21/12/2014 10:36

We care about you. DS cares about you. Your lovely friend cares about you. That's enough to be getting on with. More and more IRL friends will come. Some day (when YOU'RE good and ready) you'll even have a loving adult relationship that's good and healthy, that builds you up instead of drains you.

This can be a sucky time of year to not be a "Hallmark family". Don't let it get to you. You've got the best family possible: people who truly love you.

surereadyforchange · 21/12/2014 13:26

In a positive light, at least i don't have to spend an awkward festive season doing shit i dont want to do with people i dont really like.
I have been sitting quietly with my feelings this morning and I'm feeling that holding bitterness in my heart is what's hurting. I need to leave this behind cause its killing me.

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whitsernam · 21/12/2014 15:16

Sure, you are so perceptive!! I just love your last post; it shows so much who you really are inside, and that person is beautiful in every way. I'm wishing you a time of laughter and sharing/healing with your friend and DS, and then a new year of positive steps. You have dealt with so much lately, and yet here you are "feeling that holding bitterness in my heart is what's hurting." Not many people would have said that, or not said it so soon. You really are doing well, as the counsellor said!!!

Wishing I could hug you, and hoping you see the light of my Xmas Grin through your screen.....

Letsgoforawalk · 21/12/2014 16:50

Hi sure love your positives in the post above. More to say but need to think about how to say it right.
Will post later after "thinking time "

Letsgoforawalk · 21/12/2014 22:04

Even when I was accused of going off with other guys, at least there was someone who actually cared, now theres nothing
Not "fucked up" at all.

I think that what I wanted to say is that.. no matter how bad or harmful a relationship has been, there will still be a feeling of "loss" or grief involved in the ending of that relationship. (Which you have expressed above) Combined with a frustration at feeling like that. so as well as being sad (normal emotion) you could be angry with yourself for feeling like that about the absence of a "bad thing" in your life (another normal emotion ) leading to extreme discomfort at the combination of the two feelings.
I might have oversimplified, there are probably much more than two emotions going on!

I think it is called cognitive dissonance ( ?) someone on here might be better informed? Whatever the word for it the feelings you are feeling are normal normal normal, even if those feelings don't all "agree".

The counsellor should help you to see where all the emotions are coming from, enabling you to 'let stuff go' at a pace that is right for you. and it really sounds like you have very quickly got to grips with this mindfulness stuff.

Do what you need to get it (that well of bitterness and anger) out, cry, shout, draw or paint, sing at the top of your voice or smash something (of minimal value and your own property ideally) to pieces. Write down what happened and how you feel, then have a little barbecue with the papers.

Visualisation can be very useful too. Repeatedly imagining the actions of closing and bolting a heavy door with the thing/person you are trying to 'lose' on the other side of it can be quite powerful. You know the kind that has a plank on two brackets, big heavy bolts top and bottom too. You are inside, in a warm and safe place, they are out in the darkness, gone.

I wish you all the best, and a peaceful Christmas. I'll not be doing much MN, but I will be checking in when I can Xmas Smile

surereadyforchange · 22/12/2014 09:06

Thank you. From further probing I have discovered more about how the police handled this case that is so, so wrong.
That they misinterpreted my statement in interview and said that i said the actual r4pe was a different bit of the night, when i was awake and he got on top of me and forced it. I didnt say that, i said that after what happened i had s3x with him so he would leave me alone. The offence for me was in the earlier part of the night after i had said no and was asleep and couldnt cons3nt. No wonder he went mad and said i was lying. I would have done the same.
Also he was told that I wanted to continue the case but the police themselves were dropping it. Which makes it again look like i was lying and the p0lice didnt believe me. A load of, i wouldn't say friends but people we both know have been told i have made a f4lse allegat1on.. but to be fair because of how the police have handled it i can see why.
This is why i don't trust anyone.

OP posts:
ptumbi · 22/12/2014 15:29

The police do seem to have been shambolic from start to finish.

Glad to see you seem to be seeing through the fog, Sure. As a PP said - you are v perceptive!

Happy Christmas Sure and SmallSure. Hope you have a lovely time. As you say - at least you haven't got to spend the 'festive' time with people you don't want to Grin lucky you!

JuxaSnogUndertheMistletoe · 22/12/2014 16:12

Can you carve out 10 mins or even half an hour a day for the next few days to meditate?

ThomasMaraJrsSubpoena · 23/12/2014 02:56

The police handling of this has been appalling. Please please tell me this is being added to your complaint against them.

Hope you're well.

TeenyfTroon · 24/12/2014 07:42

Sure, just checking in to wish you and SmallSure and your dear friend a lovely Christmas, with lots of healing laughter and some joy in not tip-toeing round him.

2015 will see you continue to rise Phoenix-like from the ashes and carve a Sure-shaped space in the world. Please allow yourself a few flutters on the way and be kind to yourself.

I'll be thinking of you in the next few days. Happy Christmas. Love from TeenyTeamSure x

IPokeBadgers · 24/12/2014 17:44

Haven't been around much last few days, hope you are doing OK Sure

Just wanted to say I hope you and DS have a very lovely peaceful Christmas. I truly believe 2015 will be a better year for you. Look after yourself and take it easy, you are doing so well and loads of people are so proud of you and wishing you all the best things in life. Merry Christmas!

ptumbi · 25/12/2014 11:12

Happy Christmas Sure! Hope you have a good one.
x

IPokeBadgers · 25/12/2014 12:15

Merry Christmas Sure!

And to all the wonderful people on this thread, hoping you all have a peaceful, healthy Christmas xx

ThomasMaraJrsSubpoena · 25/12/2014 14:54

Happy Christmas from us to youse. Lotsa love.

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