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Relationships

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

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My hubby is addicted to porn - should I stay?

37 replies

Newmamma789 · 05/02/2018 13:58

I need some advice. A year ago I found pornographic images on my husbands phone - he's been using them for masturbation. Originally I wasn't bothered, he told me it was nothing to do with me or our relationship and all guys did it. I believed him.

However, in amongst these images were photos of a girl that he worked with. She was 21, very attractive and saw him as a 'big brother', she asked him relationship advice etc. My husband is 36. She puts very suggestive images on Facebook which he had saved. He told me this was a coincidence and someone sent him the images which had automatically saved Confused

A few months later I find more images. Hundreds in fact, all of women from online sites. What hurt me was that there were also images of people we knew. My neighbour, my friends, and again the young girl he worked with, all saved from Facebook. When I confronted him he told me that he was addicted to pornography and masturbation. It was so bad that he was doing it in work, and it was interfering with his life in a huge way.

Because these had now crossed the line, in my opinion, from fantasy to reality, using people that I know and speak to, I felt humiliated and cheated. At this time, we also have a seven week old baby. Thinking of my daughter and wanting her to be brought up in a happy home, I support him on the condition that he gets help. He goes to see a therapist who tells him that he has a high sex drive, that he needs to talk to me more about his needs and gives him some exercises to regain control. This was one session, he was informed that he didn't need any more sessions.

I ask for marriage sessions because I'm struggling to trust me, he tells me he will book them but it never happens.

Over the next few months things seem to be ok. But I check his phone and find that his history is always cleared. One day I'm sure he is looking at porn on his phone while my five month old baby is asleep next to him. But without proof I don't want to cause arguments.

And then we arrive at Saturday. I check his phone and find that he's been looking at images of the young girl he worked with again via Facebook. There are 52 images all of her, combined with his ex girlfriend, my friends and my sister. I feel physically sick and so stupid. I'm drained.

Although he hasn't actually cheated on me, I really feel he has. I don't trust him and being around him makes me feel sick. He admitted that he was looking at porn around our daughter too - so this is a serious problem. He is too ashamed to talk to anyone about it.

I really love him, he is a wonderful man, hard working and so kind. This is just so out of character and out of control. He's like a stranger to me. But after a year of checking phones and wondering what he's doing, I'm drained and I'm tired. I just want to be happy, raise my daughter and I think I would now be better alone. It breaks my heart that my daughter, who we were told we would never have, may have to grow up in a broken home. But I really don't think I can ever trust him again. I feel this is the last step before he has a full on affair.

Do you think I'm being overly sensitive? Thanks for your views.

OP posts:
Situp · 05/02/2018 14:01

I think that in terms of faithfulness, masturbating to pornography and masturbating to facebook photos of someone you know are not the same thing.

I don't think you are being over sensitive

athingthateveryoneneeds · 05/02/2018 14:02

Of course he's cheated on you. I despise pornography. He is already having affair after affair in his head. As a man thinketh, etc etc.

I would be heartbroken if I found out my DH was doing the same. It would lay waste to every ounce of trust I have in him.

fruitbrewhaha · 05/02/2018 14:08

You should ask this to be moved to relationships. There are some very wise people on there who can help.

I'm not sure what I would do in your circumstances, sorry, it's bit shit isn't it? I wouldn't have thought one therapy session would be enough, do you believe that was what he was told?

sourpatchkid · 05/02/2018 14:11

I would leave. For me it's not the porn, it's the lying and the images of women he knows. That's horrible. Not all men do that

Newmamma789 · 05/02/2018 14:14

Thanks for the replies, I don't have anyone to talk to, and it's such a relief to know that it's not normal behaviour. I'm just burst into tears and I really think it's relief.

I'm new here so don't know how to move this to relationships, but these few comments have really helped. Thank you.

OP posts:
LondonLassInTheCountry · 05/02/2018 14:23

If it was porn with strangers - Porn stars- Ok. Maybe i could get over it.

But

Photos of people i know, my sister, i couldnt handle that he was looking at my sister and whacking one out.

Sorry. But be strong. You have to finish with him

hollowtree · 05/02/2018 14:36

situp makes a really good point.

You are clearly feeling betrayed and don't deserve to feel like this. Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable is disrespectful of him to do.

I'm sorry OP, he doesn't sound as though he is treating you very well. I hope this either changes or you can find someone who does. Counselling would be a very good place to start xx

fruitbrewhaha · 05/02/2018 14:40

I think if you click the report button, which is top right of each post, then ask. It will get pickup by the admin people.

DawnMumsnet · 05/02/2018 18:36

Hi, we're moving this thread over to our Relationships topic at the OP's request.

AnyFucker · 05/02/2018 18:39

How is this "out of character" ? This is his character.

TheVanguardSix · 05/02/2018 18:42

Oh no. Of course you shouldn't stay.

He's not wonderful.

Zaphodsotherhead · 05/02/2018 18:49

a therapist who tells him that he has a high sex drive, that he needs to talk to me more about his needs

Seriously? Did he tell you this? A therapist told him to tell you about his 'needs'? What about your fucking need not to have a DH who wanks to pictures of your friends?

He sounds completely self centred. If he was addicted to heroin, would you stay?

Newmamma789 · 05/02/2018 18:56

Yes this is what he told me re. the therapist, and foolishly I believed him.

OP posts:
Thingsdogetbetter · 05/02/2018 18:58

Really really don't believe that a therapist would say he doesn't need anymore sessions after just one. I can only presume he lied to the therapist about the real issue. And then lied to you about therapist.

If you think there is anything left in this marraige for you, i suggest you book the marraige counselling instead of leaving it to him and then see if he tells the truth.

But really i think this marraige is already broken. I would hate to think a colleague/friend was wanking over my fb photos. It's a totally creepy violation. These women trust him and he does that. Gross! Don't know how you can look him in the face know he has betrayed not just you, but his neighbours, colleages, friends and god almighty your sister. Slimy, creepy stalker behaviour!! A modern version of a peeping tom.

Zaphodsotherhead · 05/02/2018 19:11

I don't, for one second. believe he ever went to a 'therapist'. Did you ever see any evidence of this - appointment cards, phone calls etc? Because I suspect he told you he was getting 'help' just to shut you up. He doesn't think he needs help.

Newmamma789 · 05/02/2018 19:22

He had a form he had to complete before the session and a business card - but that's all I saw.

I think he did go, but as you suggest, he wasn't honest about what was happening. Looking back, I don't think he mentioned that he was getting aroused over his friends via Facebook, neighbours and relatives. He said that these were fantasies that he would never act upon and that as a men, the two things aren't connected, which is different to women.

Thanks for all your comments. It's helped open my eyes. And boy do I feel stupid - I've totally been taken for a mug ☹️

OP posts:
Thingsdogetbetter · 05/02/2018 19:49

But he's not just getting aroused by pictures he comes across on fb. He's deliberately saving those photos so that he has time to get aroused and wank over them. Thats a completely different thing. Like the difference between getting aroused by a woman on the street and getting aroused by woman on the street, following her home and peeking through her window while having a wank. Gross

Thingsdogetbetter · 05/02/2018 19:52

And he's totally not taking responsibility with the it's different for men rubbish! Not my fault, I'm a man, poor me unable to control myself cos I'm male. Bollox!

sourpatchkid · 05/02/2018 21:02

You know I've reflected on this and the reason it doesn't sit well with me is that it feels really predatory. I'll bet anything these people he knows would be sickened to know he was saving their pictures and wanking over them. It's just ... I don't even know, but it just doesn't feel right to me.

Shoxfordian · 05/02/2018 21:14

It's definitely creepy

He's trying to tell you he had an addiction to excuse this behaviour but its not ok.

Please consider if this is the type of man you want to raise a child with

Newmamma789 · 06/02/2018 09:29

So last night I asked my husband to leave, and although he was upset, he did. He went to his parents with three bin bags full of clothes.

For the first time in weeks I actually slept. But this morning I feel awful that we've had to bring our parents into this, who I love dearly. His parents are poorly and now have to deal with this, I do feel responsible that they are having to pick up the pieces.

I also had the difficult task of telling my Mum that we're separating. I can't tell her the real reason why as I know she will make it very difficult for him be around my daughter, which I don't ever want. I've said that we've grown apart, but she thinks that I have postnatal depression and should get help as he's such a good person, brilliant father, and a wonderful husband.

It's his day off today so he's spending the day with our DD. This is so hard but I know what I have to do.

OP posts:
downthestrada · 06/02/2018 10:19

Do you think it might be a good idea to actually tell your mum? I think you have to start thinking about your own needs, rather than his, and that includes emotional support.

He had the opportunity to make an effort with therapy, but didn't. Maybe it's time for him to feel the consequences of this. And, regardless of what your mum thinks, it's completely your decision whether he gets to see your daughter or not.

You've already made a huge step in getting in to leave, so I think you can continue regaining control and making sure that things go your way. Good luck, you're doing great.

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 06/02/2018 10:25

Hi OP,

I really feel for you but I absolutely think you’ve done the right thing. I don’t have an issue with my husband looking at porn but in your situation I would absolutely have a problem with the lines he has crossed. Looking at photos of this young girl, your friends and your sister is just something I couldn’t get past. Let alone looking at porn around your baby girl, that is seriously messed up.

Please don’t feel guilty about his parents, this is his doing. Had he continued with the therapy rather than lying to you I’d have some degree of understanding but he didn’t. He lied to you. This is all his doing.

Well done for asking him to leave, I really don’t think you will ever be able to trust him ever again and that will make for a miserable life.

Thinking of you Flowers

Zaphodsotherhead · 06/02/2018 10:41

I also think you should tell everyone the real reason. If he really does have a 'porn addiction', everyone knowing might be the kick up the arse he needs to get help. If he's happy as he is, wanking to pictures of people he knows' well, then you'll know you did the right thing.

And don't let your mum gloss things over by blaming you and PND You know what he did...

brewsandbooks · 06/02/2018 11:11

OP sending all the support and love to you! You have been so brave to take that big scary step and you should be very proud of yourself!! You are not a mug , you tried to save your marriage! Please don't let people think you have PND be truthful you will be going through a lot and need full support around you !!

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