Can you report physical violence years later?

[GilesWannabee]

My husband beat me/hit me 4 times over a course of 2 years. Three of the times I was pregnant (6-13wks) and lost the babies a week or two later. The last time he beat me was in 2011 when I was about 12/13wks pregnant with son.

I can't remember exact dates exact circumstances. It was always about me asking him to spend more time with us or asking him to drive. He'd lash out.

He hasn't hit me since because I told my family and he's scared. I don't know why I've remained with him. I've been told to leave him countless times by my family.

Things are getting worse again now. He doesn't hit me, but it's all very complicated. He'll break plates if his food isn't made on time or get moody. I want him to pay for what he did to me but I'm scared no one will believe me. Could he go to jail for something like this, even if I have no proof or am not sure about exact dates?

I'm certain there will be someone typing up a more helpful response even as I write this- but you must know that your family is right? This is not going to get better.

Do you and your son really deserve to live like this?

Hello again: I'm not sure why (not being much of a MN veteran) why you haven't had more responses. I'm hoping that by commenting again, I'll a) bump this up further in Active Threads and b) let you know you've not been forgotten about.

I am very worried by the sound of this scenario. Could you possibly contact Women's Aid and find some sort of local support group, in order to find somewhere safe you can talk all of this through? Please take a look at this link if you can do so privately: Women's Aid

Maybe legal matters ? (Have reported in case MNHQ agree).

Contact women's aid. They make take time to call you back so leave a message and when it is safe to call if need be. They can put you in touch with a solicitor and advise on all the legalities, along with getting you out now.

You need to get away. Please call them

Hi there OP. Sorry to hear you've had to deal with this. We wondered if, as a PP has suggested, you would like us to move this thread to Legal Matters? Just let us know on the thread if that's easier than emailing us, and we can move it over for you. The posters over there are also very knowledgeable and might be able to give you more detailed legal information.

Whether he goes to prison or not, the most important thing is that you get away from him.

After you've called Women's Aid, who will believe you - I can assure you of that, call the police on 101 the non-emergency number and report the previous incidents of abuse. They will want to speak to you in more detail, so you could arrange a time to go in.

Breaking plates is violence, even if it's not directed at you, it's done to intimidate you. You must inform the police that the problem is ongoing, so that you are on their risk list, if you call they will send someone straight away.

The most important people here is you and your DS, at the very least this gets you all away from him. Speak to womens aid, definitely.

He sounds absolutely disgusting, I'm not surprised you want him to pay.

You have a better chance of conviction than most because medical records will back up your account.

Did you tell the doctors what had happened at the time?

Hello OP. I'm so sorry you're living through this at the moment.

In my experience, actual physical violence is discounted after 6m in terms of the pressing of charges but it was all used to form a background picture. Sexual violence has no time limit (hence operation yew tree etc).

Just to echo the others, this is no way for you or your son to live. Life has so much more to give you. Please use me, use us, use the accumulated knowledge of mumsnet as much as you wish to help you. You'll find it invaluable I'm sure