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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

Abusive partner....please help

580 replies

linziluv123 · 14/01/2018 11:51

Hi, I really need some advice. My partner is abusing me and has done for 10 years. I’m finally at the point where I can’t go on anymore.
He’s simply horrible to me everyday, says unkind things to me in front of the kids all the time. He blames me for everything that goes wrong. A recent example is Friday, he wanted to put a bid on something on eBay, I asked him his maximum bid. I entered his maximum bid seconds before the end. He didn’t win it so went absolutely mental at me calling me all sorts of nasty things. Basically he didn’t understand how ebay works. Kept telling me the item was worth X amount. He told my 6 year old I’m a druggy too during his rant. (I smoke maybe half a spliff in the garden of an evening, don’t touch anything else, alcohol included. I have give up completely now though so he can’t use it against against me). He said he was leaving but never did. Just sat there with bags packed and coat on sniping at me all night.
I could give you examples of this of about 3-4 times a week from him.
He threatens to leave me and live with his mum, but says he’s taking my 6yo daughter, splitting her up from her 9yo autistic brother (both his children). He’s done it before so I know it’s not just talk.
I’ve had police and SS involvement over the years but it’s only ever me expected to jump through hoops, never him. He’s been allowed to act in this way all his life just cuz he’s bigger and louder than most people.
My mental health has been shocking for 10 years with multiple admissions and medication regimes. My dad hated him but sadly died in August. Around the time he died I just got shouted at and made to feel like shit then too. He even brings it up now saying my dad would be ashamed of me. It hurts so much.
I work full time, he hasn’t worked in 15 years. He’s “disabled” you see. When I finish work I literally have to do everything in the house. He sits at home either sleeping or gaming all day whilst I’m at work. At weekends he has to lie in until 11 and I have to constantly try and keep the kids quiet else he gets up shouting at us all.
I wanted to visit a friend who really needed me yesterday but he wouldn’t allow it. He went to his mates interest.
He’s been violent before but hasn’t been for a while. I admit that I did something bad last year, think financial infidelity. No excuses but my mental health was exceptionally poor and I made some shocking decisions. On the front of it he forgave me but realistically he absolutely loves having yet another stick to beat me with.
I make it easy for him to be awful to me really by doing stupid things but I honestly feel he sets me up for failure. I’m desperate to go to uni and complete my Nurse training but he won’t allow it as we would lose £5000 a year. I’ve suggested he got a job but he won’t.
People think he’s a great hands on Dad but they don’t hear the way he shouts at them. Tells them to shut up then shouts at them for repeating it! He makes it clear he prefers our daughter and I know this is because my son will only ever try and stick up for me. He blames me for my son being autistic, says it’s because of my mental health. I honestly don’t think I’d have mental health problems if it wasn’t for him!
He knows I’m terrible with the finances, yet won’t take over them, he’d rather let me fuck them up so he can shout at me more.
I dread finishing work everyday. I never know if he’s going to have a go at me. He demands to drive a fast boy racer type car despite having no job, but I’m responsible for paying for it, so it’s my fault when things start to go wrong with the car.
He threatens to tell his mum what I did last year and that keeps me “in check” I really would be mortified if she found out as I’m so ashamed. He doesn’t even show remorse or apologise anymore. There are literally no redeeming features anymore. It’s my fault by default every time.
So why don’t I leave? I’m terrified. He will try and ruin my life. The flat is in my name only so could kick him out but he will take everything his mum has bought, which is more or less everything. He’d leave me without a sofa or bed, even said he’d rip up the carpets. He’d make going to Work a nightmare. I rely on him to take the kids to school and pick them up. I had 6 months off sick last year so don’t want to take the piss at work.
I’m scared as I’ve no real evidence of the abuse. It’s all emotional although there will be past reports about it as SS banned him from seeing our children for 3 months back in 2012. He convinced me and SS that he’d changed, I really believed he had. I think I’m ashamed to ask for help this time as I chose to go back to him. I’m just so afraid of the alternative.
I’m sorry this is so long, I really could go on forever about how he treats me but you get the gist.
Please can anybody advise on what to do. I’m scared he will get full custody as he is technically their main carer as I work. I can’t have my children brought up by him and my son would hate to be away from me. I feel so trapped.

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 03/02/2018 17:44

Well the main thing there is that he doesn't feel its your fault at the moment...thank goodness....but he will turn again at some point.

Can you not arrange a short term loan from your DM or a friend just to get him out, the 26th is too far away if you have only been given 2 weeks to get him out.

You mustn't give SS any reason to think you are going to let this go on, so have to have a plan....good luck..

whateveryouknow · 03/02/2018 19:40

Hi Linzi, hope you and the DCs are well. I've been following your thread and I am in awe of your courage. I feel that you are trying to postpone this because of feeling guilty but there is nothing to be guilty about. No woman deserves to be treated the way you have been treated so far. You are a brave and smart woman and a good mother and how dare he treating you like dirt. Please try and get a small loan from DM or your sister as 26th is too far and I know you are sure he wouldn't do anything but what if something goes wrong. Believe me half of DV victims never knew what their partner is capable of until it was too late. I wish you the best of luck every step of the way. 🤞👍👍

elisenbrunnen · 03/02/2018 20:11

Please don't bite my head off, Linzi (I am a regular poster on your thread,though namechanged halfway through).

What would it take for you to change your 'poor him' view of him? I get that you can't just turn your feelings off, but this man has been vile and abusive, and even violent to you. And vile to your son. Read your list. Read your OP!

DO NOT give him an inch. It'll turn against you.

KOKO.

linziluv123 · 03/02/2018 21:05

I'm really sorry @elisenbrunnen I hope you didn't think I bit your head off with my last post that was so not my intention! I was agreeing with you. I know everyone is right, I know I'm doing the right thing, know I deserve better.....I don't think I love him, I don't need him so really I have no idea what is stopping me making that final move. I'm sure it's guilt, I just don't know how to get past it! Obviously he will be gone sooner rather than later as I'm not risking losing my children for anybody!
So confused 😩

OP posts:
123MothergotafleA · 03/02/2018 21:18

Hi Linzi! Just read your story here and am on Team Linziluv.
Keep on keeping on,you won't know yourself this time next year. But even next month will be massively better for you to be minus your great burden. You will be walking on air. Just you wait and see.

Dragongirl10 · 03/02/2018 23:16

OH LINZI, l can see your guilt is paralysing you, even though you know it is all his fault, he has conditioned you to feel in the wrong and now it is hard for you to break that habit, but it is just that....... a habit.

Now l am concerned you have a deadline from SS, please, please don't risk your Dcs, they NEED you to take action and get him out, very soon to protect their future with you.

logicWins · 04/02/2018 00:28

Hi First of all , I need to stress that none of it is your fault. He is insecure and uses you as a channel to feel that he has control in his life. You have done nothing wrong and the first step is for you to be unapologetically defiant about this. There are things you can do. It would be a good idea to keep a diary, ideally at work, with entries of all the abuse, dated, photos etc. - and share this information with a friend. If you could record him - this would be great, but I would advise you to make sure he doesn't know - and when you collect the evidence , keep the evidence well hidden. The entire thing he says about being able to take your children away is pure nonsense. Courts (I am a lawyer) will always look at facts and logical evidence. When you decide to leave, the first step would be to get a Non-Molestation order. This is done via a civil court and is much easier to obtain than the restraining order. If you have a NMO in place, it means you can go straight to the family court for child arrangements , specific issue and prohibited steps orders etc. (so called Section 8 Orders - Children Act 1989) order without having to go via a mediation. www.cafcass.gov.uk/grown-ups/professionals/private-law-cases/ , www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/462915/guide-to-family-law-courts.pdf. Most importantly, the best place to get help from re: the legal side when you first plan to leave is NCDV - National Centre For Domestic Violence - www.ncdv.org.uk/ , those guys can take you through all of the steps you need to take to ensure the best outcome for you and your children. Once you know all of this information, make a plan of action that will lead you to leaving him. I would advise to try to use a work computer/friends computer to collect this information so that he can't track your moves - this includes making calls to DV organisations (unless you are good with using proxy servers and incognito mode). People like him will always fall in the court - CAFCASS actually interviews children at school, and they are quite good at extracting the information. Stay strong - you are doing great.

babyccinoo · 04/02/2018 00:49

Please don't bite my head off, Linzi

OP wasn't biting your head off, elisen. That's unfair.

linziluv123 · 04/02/2018 09:18

Thanks everyone. I will absolutely not put him before my kids. That's not an option! It's just all happening so quick. I'm glad in a way I've got a deadline as I'm sure I'd end up putting it off and off 😫.
Thank you @logicWins that's very good practical advice. Do you happen to know if a prohibited steps expires after a set time or is it until the children are 16? I have one from 2012 but don't physically have it so can't check for a date.
I'm so glad you agreed that I didn't bite anybody's head off! It really bothered me that she thought I had! Sensitive soul that I am lol. I know I need to work on me and fast. I'll keep reading and adding to my list. Meeting up with the IDVA on Thursday, she felt quite confident she could help mentally prepare me.
He tried to out his arm on me last night and I instinctively shrugged him off. I just can't bare this feeling.
Just going to check my lottery ticket....me and kids will be in the Bahamas when we win and decide from there 😂 x

OP posts:
linziluv123 · 04/02/2018 11:24

So he's demanding I phone school first thing tomorrow to find out why they're quizzing the kids!
How should I deal with this any ideas? I'm thinking I could phone social worker and ask her?
He called my daughter a liar for what she said in school. I stood up for her and said she's absolutely not, I've got her now while we go to mums so had a really good chat with her about it. Told her I'm very proud of her for sticking up for animals and telling the truth. It's breaking my heart seeing him turn on the her. She's 6 for fucks sake 💔

OP posts:
Gemini69 · 04/02/2018 13:00

I know people have already said this... but you need to get him out lovely... you can't wait any longer.. if He contacts the school all hell could break loose ... He's already challenging your daughter on the accuracy of facts as she recalls them.. .. He will continue to do this...

It's a situation I've never heard of before where children are questioned by social workers etc.. then allowed to return to the family home where the potential 'issue' still resides.... so I'm really unsure of how it all works Flowers

you need to get HIM out of the family home instead of finding ways of continuing this with Him kicking off...

when is D-Day exactly Flowers

whateveryouknow · 04/02/2018 13:09

Linzi, I agree with Gemini. It's been very short sighted of the SS to interview two little kids and then send them home to tell daddy everything despite the fragility of the situation. You need to have a chat with the school and your SW first thing tomorrow morning to get them on board. If he speak to someone at school and they tell him things that are supposed to be confidential all hell will break loose tomorrow evening and I can't imagine how safe you and your DCs will be. Please please don't delay any longer and get it done once and for all. The more you think the more you are creating obstacles in your mind weakening your strength and getting further away from your ultimate goal.

FinallyFree123456789 · 04/02/2018 13:12

@linziluv123
I’ve just read your post - you sound like I did years ago.
I’ve just gone through the court battle and won!
Have a look at my thread and you’ll see what I mean.
Please contact women’s aid. Plan your escape. Get important documents together, keep them somewhere safe.
The police / SS will help you. Courts will also help you.

You can do this! SmileFlowers

FinallyFree123456789 · 04/02/2018 13:38

@linziluv123 also prohibited steps orders normally last until the children are 18 unless they are discharged by a judge - which would require another hearing and the parent to give reasons as to why it should be discharged.
I’m assuming you haven’t had this.
You can get copies of the PSO from the court that you obtained it from originally x

linziluv123 · 04/02/2018 18:15

Brilliant! I got it in 2012 and no amendments were ever made and no other court order specifying anything else. I didn't realise the courts would hold copies too I will ring tomorrow. As soon as I know the kids can't be taken I can really start making plans.
I'm going to phone head teacher in the morning as he's still demanding I complain to school about questioning the kids.
I'm feeling so much stronger since coming back from mums she's really on our side.

OP posts:
FinallyFree123456789 · 04/02/2018 18:22

Make sure you give a copy to the school for their files and make sure they’re aware of what you prohibited steps entails.
Schools are normally good with these things - my DC school put a password on my children so if my ex rang up pretending to be me to say he was allowed to take them they would ask for the password then call me - he tried this before - so you could ask them to do something similar for your children :-)
I really hope you’re feeling stronger within yourself and can see the happy road ahead thats to come for you and your children. You seem so lovely x Flowers

EmperorHasNoClothes · 04/02/2018 19:14

He wants yoh to call to make it look like you are unhappy they have been questioned to make it look like you don't consider what the children have said to be true. Don't do it. Make whatever excuse you need to but get out ASAP. It's one thing to want to prepare yourself big your children are currently being abused and the environment is damaging them. Why prolong it? It's concerning that you've said that you wouldn't act quickly if social work didn't give you a deadline. They are having to intervene because you're not protecting your children. I don't mean to criticise bug OP you must dig deep and prioritise your children. I've any accounts are in your name or are joint then go to the bank with ID. They'll let you take out money or transfer it to your mum. Good luck

Alwaysstressed999 · 04/02/2018 19:44

Routing for you LINZI stay strong and think of the bigger picture!! Good luck x

linziluv123 · 04/02/2018 19:59

Well social services have intervened because I asked them to! I am protecting my kids to the best of my ability! This is the hardest thing I've ever, ever had to do. They've given me two weeks but I know I'm not dragging it out that long. It'll happen this week I just need to speak to professionals first, I need to make sure the plans I have in place will work. The MARAC is on Tuesday and my IDVA will have every bit of information available and we can work from that. By then I'll have also phoned court to see if I can get hold of the prohibited steps order to see if that's still valid.
He's done a right fucking number on me he really has. I know what to do, I just need to make sure I've covered everything.
To be fair it's only been 3 weeks since I made my decision so I don't actually think I've done too bad to get to where I am now. Though it's nice to know other people care more about their children than I do and are actually able to protect them properly.

OP posts:
FinallyFree123456789 · 04/02/2018 20:19

@linziluv123 you are doing amazingly - 3 weeks is nothing compared to the amount of time you’ve been in this relationship! You are doing yourself and your children proud.
Getting things in order as best you can to keep life as kormal for your children is commendable :-)
If you feel unsafe or he turns threatening etc please don’t hesitate to get a Non molestation order - police reports can help with this.
Xx

linziluv123 · 04/02/2018 20:29

Absolutely @FinallyFree123456789 so far he's not been threatening or violent, just generally awful to us so far. I'm thinking of threatening him with my recording of him beating the dog going on Facebook for all to hear, I don't know if that's a bad idea I'm just desperate to make people see what he is! I know he will tell his own version of events, omitting anything that portrays him in a bad light. I know, that should be the absolute least of my worries but I must confess to it bothering me.
My daughter just wrote me a note saying she hates Dad as he blames me her and son for everything. I hugged her and sobbed, told her how sorry I was for having her around this for so long. She replied with it's not your fault Mum it's dad's. It's so heartbreaking hearing her her talk like that. It's definitely giving me that fire I need to do this. I've told her if he says anything at all that upsets her in the morning she's to tell her teacher straight away. I'll have already spoke to school myself by then so they will know he's aware of the meeting with them.

OP posts:
FinallyFree123456789 · 04/02/2018 21:03

@linziluv123 - please don’t threaten him with the recording, I completely understand why you want to but it isn’t worth it until you are away and safe. I get wanting people to see what he is but believe me they will, once you’re away you can post on Facebook etc but while you’re there please don’t - however tempting it may be lol.

Children are smart and they know more than what we give them credit for. She may not know your plans but she knows you’re there for her and she can see what he is doing - keep going, I’m so glad you had a chat with her and you both have given each other the strength and support. Keep reassuring her that she can tell the teachers anything and that she’s safe especially with the things she tells you - this will strengthen your bond with her forever.
I know it’s heartbreaking now but you are so close to such a bright future and you will all be so happy! Flowers

linziluv123 · 04/02/2018 21:12

Oh god no I didn't mean threaten to his face! When he gets the letter or text he won't know where I am, won't be allowed to pick the kids up etc and this letter will state that I will use the police when necessary, he is to stay away until social workers have deemed him safe to be around the kids, I just also wanted to put in about bad mouthing me to people, letting him know I have that recording.

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 04/02/2018 21:14

Hi LINZI... Glad you are OK

''@linziluv123 also prohibited steps orders normally last until the children are 18 unless they are discharged by a judge - which would require another hearing and the parent to give reasons as to why it should be discharged.
I’m assuming you haven’t had this.
You can get copies of the PSO from the court that you obtained it from originally x''

This is really great news as l know that was one of your fears, the excellent advice from LOGICWINS must help too....there are so many on your side, please keep going towards getting him out.

Your daughters note made me so very sad, poor girl she is really struggling in this situation, but please be careful not to let on what your plans are to her...you need surprise on your side.

Cheering you on from here....

linziluv123 · 05/02/2018 05:56

Neither of the kids know anything concrete.....I would never want to put them in that situation. I think both kids may need some counselling when this is over, I'm ashamed to say I've only just been able to see just how affected they are 😢.
I'll update shortly when I've phoned school and court x

OP posts:
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