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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

My step dad was a voyeur when I was younger and I can’t get over it

5 replies

CallMeOnMyCell · 16/10/2019 16:33

This may be long, sorry.
My mum and dad split up when I was 9 and my mum quickly entered a new relationship with my step dad. He is controlling and emotionally abusive and I was always scared of him and his nasty mood swings growing up.
When I was 18 and in college, I “blossomed” into a pretty young woman, I had a nice figure and was starting to get attention from men for the first time. Around this time my step dad took an unhealthy interest in me, he started to take photos of me when I wasn’t looking. For example when my back was turned he would take a photo or if my door was ajar and I was sitting on my bed he would walk past and sneakily take a photo, I found lots of photos of me on his camera by accident and was very upset. He also used a small mirror to look under my door at what I was doing, he looked through my things when I was out and would look at my phone if I was having a shower (once he accidentally took a photo of himself looking at the phone and this is how I knew what he was doing). I didn’t say anything to him or my mum as I was scared that things may escalate. I used to dread being alone with him if my mum was out. I eventually told my mum and he denied it all except for looking through my phone - he said he only looked as he wanted to know if I had a boyfriend. So that was that, my mum told him not to look at my phone again and it was never spoken about again.
Looking back I wish I had moved out but I felt bad for leaving my mum alone with him.
Since having my DD (now 15 months) I can’t stop thinking back to my childhood and how messed up it was. I am now incredibly private and go mad if my DP takes a photo of me without permission or sneaks up behind me. I feel on edge all of the time and I’m struggling so much to spend any time with my mum or step dad Sad.

OP posts:
CallMeOnMyCell · 16/10/2019 16:36

Not sure why I posted really.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 16/10/2019 16:41

How awful for you, op. Your stepfather is a pervert and your mum turned a blind eye. I really think you should start therapy to help you deal with this trauma. Please don't make the mistake in thinking it will just go away and that it won't impact your life, because it will.

AngelzEye · 16/10/2019 20:22

I'm so sorry OP, just wanted to extend my sympathy and say how sorry I am that your mum did not take it seriously!! That's awful of her and must be so hard for you now! I'm sure you can't understand how she could dismiss it now you have your own child! Please seek support, this is so hard Flowers

prawnsword · 16/10/2019 20:39

This was abuse. You poor thing being trapped in that house with a predator. Having to ur daughter has made you process your past & how uncomfortable he made you. Can you decide to not be in contact with him anymore?

Side note but I hate the phrase “ peeping Tom” which minimises this behaviour. It is not Ok & you have every right to feel traumatised by his seedy behaviour.

ConfCall · 16/10/2019 21:14

He’s a disgusting person and you don’t have to see him again if you don’t want to. And as for your mother, she’s one of those pathetic women who’d throw her kid under a bus rather than be single. You have a lovely family of your own now, you don’t need that appalling pair. Work through your thoughts with a counsellor and do what is best for you.

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