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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

Anonymous emails bringing up past issues. Please help.

90 replies

WTFisThis · 14/07/2015 09:28

Early in our relationship Dp and his Ex exchanged explicit messages and pictures. He had the perfect excuse of wanting to keep her happy so that he could see the children, that he knew he'd gone too far, he'd stopped and didn't expect me to find out. She helpfully let me know through screenshots of emails. It was a long time ago, I thought I had managed to put it out of my mind. Some things didn't add up, she mentioned Skype calls, he said he hadn't done anything on them, but sometimes it was easier to talk to his child on video than over the phone, but he swore blind he had no interest in his ex.

I've had an anonymous email. He doesn't know about the email as I need to sort my head out and work out what to do. There are screenshots of messages between the two of them within the last week, where His Ex has been bringing up that during the period of messages, they used to Skype and that they would both 'get off' on asking each other to do things. He has ignored any mention of this in replies and only responded to bits concerning his children. The email I've received says that there are recordings of the Skypes between them.

It was years ago, but I still feel devastated, and stupid that I didn't leave then and there. The timing of the email is perfect, we are about to get married. I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
Lacoba66 · 14/07/2015 19:54

I personally would respond to her, by saying that you are reporting this to the police (& do so) as she clearly hasn't got the message from the previous harassment (assuming she knows that contacted the police back then?)

Then I'd block her on the current avenues that she has, to contact you and DP. If there has to be correspondence between her and your DP (soon to be DH), I would create a new email address and get a new mobile number just for her, so that she cannot intrude in normal daily life.

blueribbons · 14/07/2015 20:47

I think if you're still going to have seeds of doubt, you should do as your DP suggests and ask for proof, that way once you've called her bluff, she has nothing to hold over you any more. If you are reassured by your DPs words then I would do as Lacoba suggests, report her then keep her as separated as possible from your daily life. Don't let her ruin your future plans though - she's already won more than she deserves by causing you stress in the run up to your happy day.

Lacoba66 · 14/07/2015 21:04

Op, please try to keep a straight head! What do you know, as opposed to what you think you know? That aside please question you're DP before you marry him- you must have total trust! Flowers

Tequilashotfor1 · 14/07/2015 21:16

Don't engage.

She is basically acting like a dying wasp.
Good luck on your big day! Smile

ImperialBlether · 14/07/2015 21:16

I would reply saying, "You have 24 hours from now to email me attaching the videos. After that I'm going to the police."

FindoGask · 14/07/2015 21:27

Don't respond. Just leave her hanging, it will infuriate her.

wafflyversatile · 14/07/2015 21:34

Don't respond. Either leave it completely alone or call the police and let them handle it. Or see if she sends you more then call in the police.

Edenrose206 · 14/07/2015 21:42

What Waffly said... And Findo. Don't respond. Who cares what she's got? If you respond, she HAS WON, because she'll know that she has shaken the foundations of your relationship with your DP. If you feel you must do something, report her harassment to the police. I feel sorry for your DP... His ex was manipulative and crazy, now he must be worried about losing you if he broke down! Put this all in the past where it belongs, and focus on your lovely wedding! ...Uh, is the ex so nutty she is likely to crash it? Hmm

AlsoNCforthisthread · 14/07/2015 22:15

As my user name says, I'm another one who's namechanged to post on here having had similar experiences with DH's ex who I know is on MN.

Don't respond to her email - at least not yet. If she has previously been instructed not to approach you/correspond with you etc and there are two incidents of this following that, my understanding is it constitutes harassment - unless you engage in a dialogue with her.
I may have that wrong but it's worth checking out before making the decision to respond or not. I'd call 101 and report the emails if I were you.

I know this is hard but it can improve - our situation has. It's taken time (years) and we also involved the police to get where we are. Her actions were equally appalling but even though it was distressing and disruptive my main response has been incredulity that someone could behave in such a vile manner (with no regard for DSCs wellbeing) and that she couldn't see how bloody obvious her behaviour was. She also shot herself in the foot time after time when her behaviour backfired (and we didn't have to do a thing other than sit back and watch).

I never engaged with her either even when I wanted to rip her head off I just ignored her and took satisfaction in the fact she was probably driving herself crazy at the lack of response Grin.

Regarding your DP, you decided at the time to accept his explanation and move forward from that. It's up to you if you reevaluate now but ultimately it's got stuff all to do with her and she shouldn't be part of your decision making process now. Trust your own judgement.

This is about you and your DP so try not to make it about her from this point on. She would love it if she thought she'd caused you so much hurt. She sounds like an almight troll.

Flowers and Wine

AlsoNCforthisthread · 14/07/2015 22:17

*almighty troll

Lacoba66 · 14/07/2015 22:38

^.. Much more eloquent than me, but yes, good advice!

LazyLouLou · 15/07/2015 08:36

Do as AlsoNC suggests. It is a measured and collected plan that you and OH can follow together without giving the ex more head space than she deserves.

WTFisThis · 15/07/2015 09:03

I can't tel you all how much your responses mean, I was expecting a wave of 'you knew he was a cheat etc etc'. Dp and I spent a lot of last night talking, and we have agreed together that it is best to report this just to 101 and see if it can be put with the old list she racked up.

AlsoNC thank you. I am going to follow your lead and also not engage. This woman has done so much damage to her children with her actions, it's sad to see. Her children are told that they can't see their father because he hasn't come to paint her living room for her. It punishes all of them.

Thank you for all the advice, I'm hoping to move on from this with the resolve I had when I put the rest behind me, and hopefully have a beautiful wedding and lasting marriage. If not, then there will be a lot of I told you so.

OP posts:
LazyLouLou · 15/07/2015 09:12

Ach! You got your head round it. Have a lovely wedding and enjoy every moment. No one can tell what will happen in a decade or so, so sod all the 'Told You Soers' too Smile

AlsoNCforthisthread · 15/07/2015 23:18

^ what LazyLouLou said! Enjoy every second of your wedding day and congratulations. I'm glad you're feeling more positive.

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