Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

A space in refuge for me, but too sacared to leave

160 replies

nowheretorunorhide · 14/03/2019 09:34

I need a bit of encouragement. A space in a refuge has come up, but I feel so guilty and scared leaving. I know he can't change and this will only get worse, but I love him and feel so scared to be alone.

OP posts:
HotpotLawyer · 16/03/2019 12:03

Well done OP.

In your shoes I would always have someone with me whenever you have to do anything like go back to the house.

And fine if you can communicate via his Mum, but don’t tell her where you are or ‘buddy up’ to her. At best she will be conflicted, and abusers are as good at manipulating their families as their partners. If he does a ‘poor me’ routine with his Mum she will feel for him....

I know you know all this, don’t mean to harangue you, but it might help to have our voices in your head if he starts trying to persuade it blackmail you back to him.

Sending a barrow load of strength.

wigglypiggly · 16/03/2019 12:08

You're doing so well, if you do set up a meeting with his mum it might be best to have a third person there who is not involved personally. She could feel conflicted like other posters have said, unless you have children with this man I would think about cutting all contact with his family and friends.

AcrossthePond55 · 16/03/2019 12:53

So he's gone from 'I want you back' to 'You owe me money' in just a few hours. Sort of tells you all you need to know.

Good job on blocking him!

ooItsAoBeautifulDayNow · 16/03/2019 13:21

So proud!!

I would choose a third party (trusted friend / solicitor if you can find one with legal aid etc) and ask THEM to tell him clearly in a letter followed by email (it's all about the paper trail now!) that all contact re you is to go direct through them and must not come directly to you.

It should say this third party is happy to communicate with HIS solicitor and other immediate issues requiring your signature / agreement.

Note that any direct contact with you and anything clearly outside the terms of their letter will be classed as harassment.

THEN DO NOT ENTERTAIN ANY contact with him yourself. Block, delete and breathe.

Of course ask Womens Aid / your refuge team for support writing the letter. Share it with your local police force asking them to log it, your GP also as it's affecting your MH.

Sometimes also worth sharing with particularly close friends and family - only ones you think he may try to use to get in touch with you.

Then don't rise to anything requiring direct contact. Please Please stick to no contact - something few people mention is that it's often a confusing and weirdly hurtful feeling when they do eventually give up and move on without a reaction to lee fuelling the fire, but this happens more often than is discussed here. It doesn't mean you've made a mistake, it means you've escaped a sometimes horrid part of the process with the ones who don't give up as soon.

And you're giving yourself as much support and ammunition should he be one of the bastards who hangs around like a bloody unpaid bill.

Ask loads of questions on here and to experts from services too WA / shelter etc.

YOU CAN DO THIS StarStarStar

mommybear1 · 16/03/2019 13:32

Handhold Thanks

DemelzaPoldarksshinerrefiner · 16/03/2019 13:32

FlowersStar

Kittykat93 · 16/03/2019 13:37

Op so glad you've got out but is it not possible to stay at your parents house so you can be with your children and have support? Feel so sad for you but you've done the right thing.

AlexaAmbidextra · 16/03/2019 13:48

Did you say you had a cat? If so, please try to get it to somewhere safe as from bitter experience he’ll use it to manipulate you. Mine threatened to harm my cat if I didn’t come back. A huge well done on all you’ve achieved so far. 💐

ooItsAoBeautifulDayNow · 16/03/2019 14:37

Re the cat I know while you're in the refuge you may need to leave them with a lovely friend for a while.

SO get yourself ready to get the cat OUT of his house asap. It's your cat.

So, next steps again to help you feel like you're making progress and keep you distracted on down days!

In my experience, vets are great help as they want to ensure safety of animals. Ask them for printed proof of your vet membership, any costs paid for by you for treatment, paperwork for any pet insurance paid for by you. As much proof as possible.

Create a paper trail that makes it clear this is YOUR cat and safest out of the house. Third person should give him options - Meet said third party to pass over the cat, or organise for him to drop it at the vets for third party to collect. Mention if not agreed by x date then the RSPCA and local charities will be asked to get involved.

Ask solicitor to send this on your behalf it should scare him and hopefully it's not too a big battle to give up in his eyes as it involves looking after another living thing.

DO NOT LET HIM USE THE CAT AS AN EXCUSE TO ENGAGE YOU DIRECTLY.

captainpantbeard · 16/03/2019 15:09

You can get through this OP. Star

Gilead · 16/03/2019 15:39

You're doing really well. It does get easier, it takes time, but it really does, and then you start enjoying life. flowers

Gilead · 16/03/2019 15:39

whoops! Flowers

User67836 · 16/03/2019 16:13

Just wanted to say well done x

nowheretorunorhide · 16/03/2019 16:13

Anything I talk to her will be about getting stuff back etc and I wouldn't go alone anyway. I've been out and got some food and was able to pick food I actually wanted to eat and some treats for the kids. I'm off out in a min to collect my kids and bring them back to there new home. Everything is pretty much now set up. He hasn't tried to contact me by other ways yet, which is good. His ex is still supporting me and telling me the tactics he used on her.

OP posts:
Iputthescrewinthetuna · 16/03/2019 16:16

Huge well done OP! You are being so strong!

HotpotLawyer · 16/03/2019 17:49

Nice one, OP.
Enjoy your chosen food.
So important!

ClaireElizabethBeuchampFraser · 16/03/2019 18:15

Massive well done OP, I followed your last thread but missed this. I am so glad you are out and free again! Stay strong, you can do this! These are just the first days of the rest of your life and you have potential for so much happiness now you are free!

Prawnofthepatriarchy · 16/03/2019 18:19

I'm in awe of your courage. Congratulations! Things can only get better. Smile

SandAndSea · 16/03/2019 22:57

Remember to change the contact details for your cat's microchip and vet. That way, if s/he gets lost (or whatever) you will be contacted directly. You don't want to give him any excuses to contact you (or to claim ownership of your cat).

Happynow001 · 17/03/2019 09:22

What can you do about your mail OP? Is there anyone safe whom you trust to hold redirected mail for you?

You can do this online. www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 18/03/2019 09:16

I'm so happy you've gone through with it. Yes, I'm sure there will be trying times and good and bad days ahead but your future is so much brighter.

Also good that you are be supported by his ex.

Just take each day at a time so far and give your kids a massive cuddle.

ooItsAoBeautifulDayNow · 18/03/2019 09:35

Another day down OP - keep going! You've already done the hardest bit so hold onto that. How are you feeling?

Do you have any other practical stuff to deal with that Team Mumsnet might be able to give you advice on? It's so hard to tick stuff off the list when your head is foggy - I always end up drifting Day to day when I feel down so if you have anything you're putting off as you aren't sure what to do / what admin to prioritise then always ask on here as there's usually someone brilliant who can help :)

marbletile · 18/03/2019 10:20

OP you’re doing really well. My mum didn’t do what you’re doing when I was a child and I really wish she had! From the start to now of this thread you sound stronger every time you post. Flowers

hellsbellsmelons · 18/03/2019 10:27

Well done on getting away OP.
I really hope you've managed to get yourself some space.
Just stay strong.
Reach out to everyone who can help you through this.

nowheretorunorhide · 19/03/2019 09:17

Hello all, well I took yesterday off work and did all the practical stuff that needed doing and also went to Ikea and got some bits I needed for my home. I'm feeling much better about it all and i'm not crying as much as I was. I feel good for pushing myself and it's very impowering. My friends, family, mumsnet and also my ex husband have all been so helpful and encouraging every step of the way. My children love it here and loved playing yesterday in the playroom and even got a bag of goodies. The messages are relentless and have gone from proposals to saying he never wants to see me again and the trust has gone. I had an email yesterday listing everything he didn't like about me including my weight being an embarrassment (I'm 5ft 10 and a size 16) and that I needed to work more hours and earn more money and stop using my mental health as an excuse (I work 30 hours with a 3 and a 6 year old, whilst he doesn't work). I haven't replied to anything besides stuff to do with the house and will cut all contact once I have my furniture and cat this weekend. I am certain now I made the right choice and he is a vile human being.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread