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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

How do i leave an abusive relationship?

71 replies

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 15:56

I wonder if I could get some advice.

I have been with a man for 5 years and I'd say for about four of them they have been abusive. In the beginning from reading on here I'd say there were probably red flags anyway but he was very sweet to me, he'd bombard me with texts during the week (we lived miles apart) telling me how much he loved me, how amazing I was, he'd surprise me lots, shower me with compliments, it all seemed a bit too good to be true to be honest. As I say the few red flags were he lied a lot about things he'd done though he said he did that to impress me so I brushed it off.

I already had a son from a previous marriage that lasted 7 years but ended quite amicably, I had just decided he wasn't the one for me, he was my childhood sweetheart and I think we just outgrew one another. He was very good with my son which was another thing that I liked, he was just a baby when we met. We went on to have another son who is 6 months old.

Most of the time he just treats me really badly in an emotional sense. He puts me down so much, I've had full blown rants about how I am a c*nt, dull, boring and he likes to think calling me fit or telling me I look nice every so often warrants being nice and I should want sex regularly. He is never been supportive of me emotionally. If I ever have a bad day he just says really sexist things like it must be my time of the month, or I'm so horrible. I'm never entitled to just have a bad day, even though the kids can be hard work sometimes (the eldest is 5 now and the yongest 6 months) it's always my period or some other remark which just isn't funny at all.

He is just an awful person and now the light bulb is on I need to get out. For instance, this weekend we agreed to have a night out each for a break from our youngest as we haven't been out with friends for a while. I went out the Friday, he went the saturday. We both agreed to give each other a nice lay in the day after till midday. It was a fair swap. I went out and had a nice time, got a bit tipsy but was still sober enough to get home at 1.30am, brush teeth,have a conversation then put myself to bed, was very tired though and was looking forward to the midday lay in. He woke me up at 10am and had ran a bath for me and made breakfast. It was quite sweet but I was still realy shattered but felt like I couldn't say anything because he'd done that. Come his night he went out managed to get into a fight, get chased home, lose his phone, he also forgot his key and woke me and the baby up knocking on the window at 430am. This is quite normal for him to. Most nights he goes out he ends up fighting or losing his temper over something. It is never his fault and he never takes responsibility for anything. He neesd his phone as he is self employed to so now no one can contact him, he had no insurance on the phone. I got up this morning and fed our youngest then put him down for a nap, whilst he had the nap I had my wash, got out at 12 and he was still asleep ignoring our youngest crying (he claimed to not hear, it's a tiny bedroom and he is a loud crier) He refused to get out of bed till 1240 when he gave him a bottle but didn't bother with the food (we are weaning him) because he "couldn't be bothered" and he has gone straight back to bed. My other son is due home soon so he has left me to everything because he is hungover.

When I ever get ill I get told to get on with it and he has often gone out and left me ill through no fault of my own to fend for the kids and me. This is why I find it hard to be sympathetic toward him right now and I am so angry that he feels this.

He refuses to talk. He says I try to make out he is the problem with everything in our relationship. I don't think I am perfect but I never had any difficulties with my last relationship and I don't know what to do anymore. He will sulk for days and ignore me now till I am virtually in tears because of the silence or he waits for me to crack and explode then says I am crazy or mental.

He hounds for sex to and in the beginning I admit I did want it a lot, even when the abuse first started to become clear I still found him phsyically attractive and would do it. As the abuse has gone on I find myself pulling away. I can't bring myself to feel enthusiastic about sex anymore. He is affectionate I admit, he likes to touch me in the day, all though sometimes it's just shoving his hands down my trousers or top and I don't really like that. He blames it for everything. He says if I wanted sex more he'd be nicer, even last night he said he didn't come home at a reasonable time and help with the kids because he knew he wouldn't get sex.

When we argue they cannot be normal rows. The results are either he gets really nasty and insults me till I stay in bed crying, he breaks stuff in the house (I've had to replace so many things here) but he says i "provoke him" I admit I have exploded sometimes and pretty much told him i think he is a twat but then he goes through a nice patch of being nice to me and I think it's all OK then he all starts again. I get sometimes couples can have the odd nasty word in a row but the words he uses are so extreme. If he has been proven wrong or hasn't got a comeback he will sulk in another room and if I talk about it he will start tapping his foot or gritting his teeth at me. I tell him this is intimidating (when we aren't rowing) and he says he can't help it, that's just the way he is. He is occasioanlly physical. usually pushing, putting his face in mine, throwing me on the floor.

The question is what do I do now? For the last few years his temper has lost him jobs and most of the years together he has been out of work. Supporting 2 kids and him on my wages and tax credits has not been easy coming up to christmas and birthdays and now I have a bad credit file with a ccj that i can't repay and I private rent. I would need to move out of this place but who would take me now?

The boys absolutely love him to and I don't want my kids to hate me but i'm so fed up. I know 2 kids by 2 different men I'll probably be single a long time. I get I'll have to give up work and stay at home and I understand it'll be hard but I can't take it anymore. My confidence is at rock bottom and I'm so unhappy. The eldset calls him dad but that is not biologcally his son and he sees his real dad once a month. In an ideal world I would like him to have a contact supervised visits to see them. I can't bear them staying with him over night as I know once I am gone he'll move on quickly and find another woman. I am not jealous about this what concerns me is he will treat her the same way and I do not want them witnessing this anymore and thinking it's ok. I don't want to be unreasonable and stop him seeing his biological son but I am 100% sure I cannot let him go overnight. I can't stop him treating another woman like this but I cannot let my kids keep seeing it. I want them to have healthy relationships and treat their future partners well.

Any advice would really help me right now. X

OP posts:
whattheholyfeck · 01/03/2015 16:11

Firstly, a huge, huge well done to you for getting this far. Just admitting that you are being abused is a massive deal. It took me nearly 15 years. It wasn't until I posted on here about 2 weeks ago that I realised. The abusive arse moves out tomorrow. All being well.

I am in no position to advise but I'm here for hand holding while you go through this very difficult process. Listen to the wise women of mumsnet. They have literally saved my life.

Good luck xx

whattheholyfeck · 01/03/2015 16:12

Oh, and just to be clear-you can get out. It will be hard but you can do it.

Think of how happy you'll be once your free of this man.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 01/03/2015 16:18

Womens Aid on 0808 2000 247 can and will help you leave this person.

Get your distress properly noted via the GP as well.

Re your comment:-
"I want them to have healthy relationships and treat their future partners well".

Make that your mantra.

This can happen to them particularly if you get away completely from this man. This is really no life for you or your children to be witness to; after all they are learning about relationships from the two of you and you cannot afford to let them grow up thinking that yes this is how women should be treated by men.

Breaking stuff (probably not his) falls also under the domestic violence umbrella as well.

I doubt very much that your boys actually love him; they probably live in as much fear of him or upsetting him as you do. They see your behaviours and reactions too and model them as well. They also see how badly you are being treated.

I would also suggest that you look at Womens Aid Freedom Programme as this could help you as well moving forward. Such men like this one can and perhaps will take you years to recover from.

Rebecca2014 · 01/03/2015 16:36

Sounds like my ex, I used to always say "Why can't have a normal argument without you screaming or calling me names?" Also If I argued back it would get physical in pushing, getting in my face etc. He never hit with his hand and I am sure to this day he feels he wasn't abusive me for that reason.

All I can say is I am much happier being without him and I can do what I like without having to worry about him. He had a new girlfriend after two months and I really do not care.

I let my ex see our daughter because he never showed his anger to her. You can be a good father but a bad partner so in that respect would you need a contact centre?

Littlemiss20 · 01/03/2015 16:41

Well done you! I'm in a similar situation and didn't realise how emotional abusive my partner is. Very similar to urs the name calling, silent treatment, never admits he is in the wrong. He has pushed me never hit me so he thinks pushing is ok cause he hasn't slapped or punched me. Then I question myself that it's my fault as that's how he makes me feel!
Good idea to get out I'm going to me doing the same, hope all goes well and stay strong, you and kids deserve better xx

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 16:51

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CogitoErgoSometimes · 01/03/2015 17:08

I would suggest you put everything in front of Women's Aid and ask their advice. You don't mention being married to this person but you may still benefit from legal advice, for example. They should be able to point you in the right direction regarding finances and accommodation. Some of the behaviour you're describing is very nasty indeed and should be put on record. For your own sake but especially if you are worried about future care of your children

CogitoErgoSometimes · 01/03/2015 17:10

Incidentally, he is a 'bad dad'. Whatever it is he does for the children, abusing their lovely mother wipes it all out and makes him a terrible father

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 17:15

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whattheholyfeck · 01/03/2015 17:15

Agree. A good father would not abuse and disrespect their mother. Making her desperately unhappy and therefore unable to parent as she would if she were supported and happy.

If that makes sense.

AnyFucker · 01/03/2015 17:17

Would you consider simply leaving him and going back to stay with your family until you get sorted ?

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 17:30

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turbonerd · 01/03/2015 17:34

He sounds awful. Just shoving his hands up your bra or down your trousers is not on at all.
You have brilliant reasons for leaving him, and your youngest is only little so contact can be arranged by and by. Your oldest does not really have to see him. He already has a dad who you say is not abusive. No need to expose him to this aggressive maniac any further really.
Go for it. Call Women's Aid and follow their advice.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 01/03/2015 17:36

However much a 5yo loves his school, he would cope with a move to a new one. There is help to relocate for women exiting abusive relationships which is why you have to report the abuse. There is potentially emergency housing if you ask your local housing authority. There are state benefits for those on low or no incomes. Your STBX remains financiallt responsible for his child as well of course. Women's Aid can give you advice how to access all of this things and - very important - not expose yourself to risk.

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 17:46

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confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 18:41

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AnyFucker · 01/03/2015 18:42

Yes, you would be better off alone

Goodbetterbest · 01/03/2015 18:51

First thing I want to say is you can do this, second is you are not alone. He sounds a lot like my XH.

Yes to Women's Aid. Lots of info online. You might also want to get to your nearest CAB (again lots online). Entitledto.com will help you to work out what benefits you could receive and how much.

Please tell your friends. When you say it outloud it makes it real.

I read up a lot about Narcissistic Personality disorder and it really made me understand XHs personality, how it was never going to change and how leaving him was the right thing to do.

You aren't only doing this for you, but your boys. Do you want them to treat their future partners how he is treating you? No, didn't think so.

So, so many compelling reasons to leave and none whatsoever to stay. Loads and loads of support on here and lots of us at different stages of the process.

I wish you the very best of luck. Soon you'll be able to breathe again and believe me, it's wonderful.

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 18:54

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confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 18:56

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AnyFucker · 01/03/2015 19:07

love, you don't have to convince us he is a prick

we knew that from your very first post

confusedaboutthings · 01/03/2015 19:26

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weedinthepool · 01/03/2015 19:43

There is a scheme running with my local domestic abuse service called Staying Put (I think?!) that supports women to stay in their home and the abusers leave.

I think it would be beneficial to look up who your local independent domestic abuse service is (women's aid might be able to point you in the right direction) & ask.if they have a similar scheme. I can see why you would not want the hassle if uprooting your two dc's from home & school. Who is on your tenancy agreement btw?

I've left my owned home and gone into private rented to escape physical abuse & it's probably the one thing I wish I had done differently because stbxh is rattling around our huge family home on his own & me and the 3 dc's are in a much smaller property.

I think you are doing the right thing by leaving. My stbxh started abusing me by pushing and throwing & breaking things and he too shoved his hands down my pants regularly without warning & it escalated to broken bones and rape for me Sad

AnyFucker · 01/03/2015 19:44

he is gaslighting you

AnyFucker · 01/03/2015 19:47

yes, the unwanted sexual advances are actually sexual assault

he has no right to grope you like that...none at all. He does not own your body just because you are in a relationship with him.