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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

Sexually harassed by friend’s boyfriend

93 replies

Rosemary26 · 22/12/2020 11:25

I had a very sour experience with a woman I considered to be a friend almost two years ago, and recently she emailed me out of the blue acting as if she wanted to talk and catch up.

We lived together for six months back in the day to help each other out with rent. I thought everything was good between her and I for a long time, until her boyfriend started to make passes at me. One night I was in the kitchen making myself a late dinner after I’d gotten home from work and this guy crept up behind me and put his hand down the back of my pajama bottoms. I was shocked! I flipped out instantly, telling him to never come anywhere near me ever again. No wonder I had never liked him. He gave me the creeps. Having been sexually abused in childhood, and having experienced men (men in relationships with people I knew, no less) being inappropriate toward me throughout adulthood, this really messed me up. I was scared of what would happen when I told my friend what he’d done, worried she’d react the way others had and choose to believe whatever he said, but I knew that I had to tell her. So I did. Exactly what I was afraid of happened. She grew cold toward me after he denied it all, she iced me out, and shortly after that I left and gave up communication.

In the recent emails she spoke about missing me and how she hoped we could spend time together again. She finished with the sentence, “I’ll try to convince M. (that same boyfriend) to let you visit here again.” Hmm
I responded briefly, wishing her Happy Holidays, and I didn’t mention anything about him or visiting.

This is what she wrote back: “If how far you went out of your way to not even type M.’s name is an indication that you still have a problem with him then it's probably not a good idea to have you come here. I always enjoyed hanging out with you and everything but I don't need any extra stress or drama in my life.
M.will always be in my life and he means more to me than anyone so if you have a problem with him then you pretty much have a problem with me.”

Um. STILL have a problem with him? Yeah, I do. I don’t wish to have any further contact with her, but this, her basically blaming me for what he did, really troubles me. Has anyone experienced anything like this? If you have any ideas about what I can say in response to try to get my point across please share those with me. I get that she’s going through her own issues, but...this burns.

OP posts:
Thingsdogetbetter · 23/12/2020 20:48

Bet he's done something similar to another friend and she's trying to build her own lies to keep denying it. She's clinging to the deluded hope that you'll tell her it was all a mistake and you had been silly or mistaken. She wanted you to have no problem with him, because that would have 'proved' this other woman was making it up as well. When you didn't 'allow' her to stay in her delusion, her anger has displaced onto you. You've put a crack in her delusion. Good for you!

EarthSight · 23/12/2020 21:53

I think your friend is confused. Cognitive dissonance comes to mind. She's reaching out for your friendship bit only on the terms that you accept blame for the situation, the actions of her boyfriend.

I almost feel sorry for her, as enraging her recent contact must be (you need his permission to visit their place lol). She is going to find out the hard way what an asshole he is, and be embarrassed for all the times she defended him or believed him. I would send a message back saying 'When you are no longer with him, let me know. Until then we have no friendship'. If she starts preaching or protesting, just block.

Sillysandy · 24/12/2020 09:28

@Yeahnahmum

You should have just ignored her original message . Delete it. And her and never look back
Oh what a surprise - the entire thread is in agreement that OP handled it perfectly till you show up to chastise her and tell her what she should have done.
Oldraver · 24/12/2020 10:36

You’d do well to not allow him to harass other girls, since this sort of thing is actually a crime

Sorry but this is totally wrong, it's HIS behaviour

Rosemary26 · 24/12/2020 15:11

Thank you again to all of the women who have shown me great support and allowed me to not feel alone during this. It means more to me than I can put into words. Hugs to all of you Flowers

OP posts:
KatherineJaneway · 24/12/2020 15:18

Well done Flowers

Rosemary26 · 24/12/2020 15:30

@Oldraver

I understand what you’re saying. It is his behavior. Please allow me to try to explain why I worded it in that way. Her boyfriend is completely dependent on her, meaning that she works to support him when he’s never worked, meaning that he’s rather antisocial and doesn’t actively step out of the house to pursue interactions, and because he is this way she always claimed that she is responsible for him, for providing everything to him. So, really, the only way he has easy access to women to harass is when her friends come around for her. I’m sure I’m not the only one to try to confront her with his behavior, as her other friendships have fallen apart. This, whether she believes in the accusations or not, in my opinion, does make her to some degree responsible.

OP posts:
SandyY2K · 24/12/2020 18:28

So he's not just a sexusl predator, but a lazy unemployed one as well and fully dependent on her.

Your ex friend has some serious issues to be in a relationship like that.

SirVixofVixHall · 24/12/2020 18:30

@category12

If you really want to say something, say it, but then you'd have to be prepared that that's it and probably cut her off forever from there.

So " yeah, I'll always have a problem with a guy who crept up on me and shoved his hand down my pants, so let's leave it at that " and go straight to blocking her.

I would do this.
SirVixofVixHall · 24/12/2020 18:32

Sorry, hadn’t read your brilliant response to her when I posted. Well done OP.

AlwaysCheddar · 27/12/2020 08:51

Did your friend respond?

CisMyArse · 27/12/2020 09:46

I feel this has been cathartic for you OP. I hope it helps you to heal Thanks

NoDontDoIt · 27/12/2020 09:49

I'd HAVE to say something after her 'i'll have to convince M to let you in'!? Angry something like 'yes i still have a problem with sexual assault' and instablock

BlueThistles · 27/12/2020 15:59

OP you are a straight shooter.. it's a breath of fresh air to read your response to her.. good on you 🌺

billy1966 · 27/12/2020 16:49

Super response OP.

Let her re-read that.

What a sleeze.

He's a lucky man you didn't report him for assault.

Flowers
Sunflower1970 · 27/12/2020 16:58

I think I’d say ‘thanks for getting in touch but I won’t be visiting as I’d be tempted to report M’s sexual assault on me to the police if I got another chance to. Have a nice life With your sex pest’ then block her

Fuckingcrustybread · 27/12/2020 17:12

It's a shame when people don't bother to RTFT, and don't even bother to read ALL of the OP's posts. Makes them look a bit daft.

MsJudgemental · 27/12/2020 17:41

Well done you! Thanks

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