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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

Can't let it go

52 replies

oval · 24/10/2006 20:45

About 3 years ago I was on the phone to my mum who was telling me all about my little sisters latest behaviour problems, her refusing to go to school, her acting up and one which shocked me...making up sick stories.

I asked what she meant about "making up sick stories" and she said "she tried telling us that *** had sexually abused her!".

This made me go cold, the man my sister had tried to tell people was abusing her HAD done it to me as a child so instantly, I believed her.

My mum said "what's wrong?" and I told her everything and told her that my sister was probably telling the truth.

I was devestated, maybe if I had been brave enough to say something he wouldnt have had the opportunity to do it to her? anyway the damage had been done, my mum was obviously very upset and said she would speak to her hubby when he got in from work.

She did, she told him what I had said and that it looked like their DD was telling the truth (she was 10 btw). He turned around and said that they couldnt do much without proof. My mum said she wanted to tell my grandmother (the man is her husband) but due to her ill state of health she didnt want to put the extra pressure on and upset her. It was decided that they would "leave it" .

Anyway, me, my mum, my sister and my 2 children had a holiday booked, a week away in a caravan that my mum owned. It had been booked for some time and we were all looking foward to it. One day my mum phones me and says "I dont know how to tell you this....but grandma has decided that her and *** will come up and stay with us for a few days when he go away".

I was livid, I told her that there was no way in hell that my children would be staying in a caravan...or ANYWHERE whilst he was there. My mum said I would spoil the whole trip if I didnt go. I told her if he went, I didn't. She said I was putting her in an impossible situation as she didnt want to upset my grandma but it was perfectly bloody ok to put my kids in danger? I asked her if she believed me about what I had said, she said she did but she was scared of upsetting my grandma. I told her that even if I did agree to go my DH would never in a million years allow the kids to as he knew all about . Well, she said..."just lie to him, tell him isnt going..." . How the hell would I have reacted if DH had done that to me? took the kids away behind my back knowing that they would be staying with a bloody paedophile?

In the end, as it happened *** decided not to go so all went ahead as normal. I was so annoyed over it though that after 3 days I lost it and had a massive row with my mother and ended up phoning DH to come and pick me up, 2 upset children and a ruined holiday.

Anyway, we made up in the end but she still doesnt see what she did wrong, this is 3 years ago and I just can't get over it. What has shocked me further is that they allowed my sister to go and stay at my grandmas house overnight last year so they could have a night out! .

We're all on friendly terms now but I can't get this out of my head, she treats it like a big joke...for instance we were on about a trip to london and my mum said "yeah, we'll take *** and you can go on the london eye with him!" for a 'laugh'... who the hell would joke about their kids being sexually abused?

OP posts:
JoolsToo · 24/10/2006 20:48

what aboutyour sister?

how is she doing?

BudaBeast · 24/10/2006 20:50

Am totally stunned at your mother! Her mother's husband has sexually abused TWO of her daughters and she jokes about it??

He will do it again as he has gotten away with it.

Not surprised you can't get over it. I suspect it is partly that you know he has gotten away scot free. And will unless someone is brave enough to take it further.

Have you ever discussed it with your sister?

lulumama · 24/10/2006 20:51

if you have both been abused...you can;t just let it go

if your mum is not prepared to take it seriously...then leave her out of your life...

she must be in complete denial to even suggest you spend time with this man

contact the police

get some counselling

talk to your sister and work through this together

concetrate on rebuilding your lives and don;t involve a parent who clearly doesn't want to be involved

oval · 24/10/2006 20:52

she seems "ok" now, some say she seems depressed, others say she seems withdrawn, she does some strange things, has some strange ways but she always has been like that right from being a baby.

Personally I think she has some kind of autism and he's picked up on this and has taken advantage knowing she would be an easy target.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 24/10/2006 20:52

F*ck the lot of them.

What the HELL kind of mother would even dream of saying nothing about a fcking rapist who voilated her own* children for fear of 'upsetting' someone?

That's about as f*cked up as it gets.

Go to the police.

By the time most paedos are caught and convicted, chances are they have abused many children.

I doubt you and your sister are his only victims.

Every day he's out, he's a risk to children.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/10/2006 20:53

How awful for you and your sister.

soapbox · 24/10/2006 20:53

No much wonder you can't let it go.

As I see it though, you are an adult now and you can choose to do something about it, and protect your younger sister.

Go to the police - tell them everything. This has got to stop and you make it stop.

Don't be complicit in the silence. That isn't fair of you any more than it is fair of your mother. I'm sad for you all that she won;t do it - but you must do what you can to deal with it

VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/10/2006 20:54

Agree - your sister is still young and needs protecting from this man if your mum wont do it.

oval · 24/10/2006 20:54

I know we're not the only ones, he did it to my male cousin too, quite often he tried to make us do things to each other as we were similar ages.

My cousin has never spoken of this since, I suspect he must still remember?

OP posts:
BudaBeast · 24/10/2006 20:55

Esp if as you say your sis is particularly vulnerable.

expatinscotland · 24/10/2006 20:55

Your sister, if she is differently abled, is a vulnerable person.

This man REALLY needs to be prison and YOU deserve to see justice done and to get some help.

lulumama · 24/10/2006 20:56

he's a serial abuser & paedophile

call the police now.....if all of you can speak up..more chance of a convitcion...and it's likely you are not the onyl ones

CountTo10 · 24/10/2006 21:03

I'm shocked that a mother would close her eyes to something like that not that she would be the first. Its something that lives with someone and echoes through their life forever and for it to be taken that lightly amazes me. I think you took the first big step when you admitted what happened to your mum those 3 years ago and it must have taken a lot of courage so well done to you. What's been said already on this thread about you now being in control and making that decision to do what you can to protect your sister is true however hard it may sound or the impact it might have on your family. You obviously have a very supportive dp on this subject - would he help you in going to the police?

Blu · 24/10/2006 21:03

Yes, he will remember.

Your sister sounds very very vulnerable and shouldn't be being isolated with this man. You have no choice but to go to the police, really.

I am very sorry that you and your family have suffered like this - time for it all to stop.

foxinsocks · 24/10/2006 21:05

The police are really very good at this sort of thing now. It probably feels terribly frighening - the thought of having to tell your story to some anonymous police officer - but once it is out, you will feel so much better.

You don't have to go and see them in the first instance - all you have to do is pick up the phone and call them.

Blu · 24/10/2006 21:05

oval - do you think that he abused your mother, too? It is quite possible that your grandma 'knows' anyway, and that your mother just can't bear to stir it all up - or face the fact that she knew all along.

Just a possibility.

Piffle · 24/10/2006 21:16

Another for the police, if it was you and your sister it could have been countless others or in the future more girls.
Your mother is reacting out of shock and denial I think.

witchscatsmother · 24/10/2006 22:19

There is no contest between hurting someone (your Grandma, I'm not denying it could be a huge shock for her) and protecting children.

You really need to speak to the police on behalf of the children you know he's abused, and also on behalf of those he might yet approach.

So sorry.

Freckle · 25/10/2006 04:00

I agree that the police need to be informed - now. Your sister is not only just 10 years old, but vulnerable too. Your mum is obviously willing to put her in danger so that she can have a night out and your grandma's feelings aren't hurt - so you have to be the one to step in and protect her.

If this man has done this to you, your sister and your cousin, how many other children do you think have suffered?

I think you should tell your mum that, if she doesn't inform the police, then you will - and don't let her persuade you otherwise.

HauntedsandCastle · 25/10/2006 05:59

oval, how old was your mum when her mum married this guy?

was she young enough that he could have abused her? And HER way of dealing is to react like this?

Not making excuses for him NOTHING excuses this, just a thought!

alismummy · 25/10/2006 15:22

So your little sister has probably been abused for 3 years now and you say 'anyway the damage had been done'- so what happens now? Because the longer this goes on the more damage will be done. This is one of the most frightening posts I have ever read. For gods sake be brave, tell the police.

tiredemma · 25/10/2006 15:24

your mother sounds seriously disturbed.

Raggydoll · 25/10/2006 15:33

is this for real??? your sister was 10 (is now 13) and you have not done anything at all?? she told her/your mom she had been abused and no action has been taken...

MY GOD - I can not finish this post because I am furious.

tiredemma · 25/10/2006 15:34

Why havent you contacted the police??

Raggydoll · 25/10/2006 15:34

somwtimes i hate the f*cking anonymity of mn. i want to call the police myself NOW

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