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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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Partner has no respect for my sexual boundaries

772 replies

angryandscared1 · 06/11/2021 08:01

I'm so angry and upset. NC for this but regular poster.

I'm sorry this is quite long and some graphic descriptions of sexual nature so please don't read on if this isn't for you.

Partner and I have 7 month baby, things have been v stressful since baby was born, no time for each other etc. We've been working on it.

We very rarely have sex, it's just impossible to find the time or energy, both always exhausted. I'd say we have sex once every 2-3 weeks since baby's birth, it used to be every other day or at least 4 times a week so I understand his frustration. I also feel differently now, hate my body how it's changed so much (used to be slim and toned now have larger tummy and thighs), and also I just don't have much libido anymore.

Anyway last night we were kissing in bed etc and I said I wanted to try and have sex. I was very clear it had to be with a condom or nothing (I'm not on any birth control at the moment and definitely don't want another baby yet), and I also said I need you to be gentle and careful. He agreed. He then proceeded to be quite rough with his fingers, I had to remind him twice please be gentle that hurts. Then he attempted to penetrate me without the condom on, I said what are you doing, he said I wanted to "feel you" - I said again, no we need to take this seriously as I don't want to end up pregnant again. He seemed to accept that but the rest of the foreplay seemed half hearted so I felt he wasn't interested and was impatient to get to the "main event". He kept pushing to penetrate me (more with his body language than anything). I felt under pressure. He also had his hand on my throat at one point - I removed it but didn't say anything to him. After some foreplay I said ok we can do it now - he then entered me quite aggressively from behind without a condom (I didn't realise at this point he didn't have one on). I was so taken aback by how rough it was, I didn't know what to say or do, it hurt so much. He was being very aggressive, I tried to get up on my knees to stop the pain but I couldn't. I have no idea why I didn't just say stop, but I was in shock with it. Then he said he was going to ejaculate on my bum - I suddenly realised there was no condom. I started to cry and pull away from him then I just left the bed sat in the bathroom and cried.

Afterwards I said how hurt and angry I was that he has no respect for my boundaries. He claimed it was "hard to remember" to use a condom because we never used to before the baby. I think this is a ridiculous excuse, I said several times please use one. With regard to being rough with me, he said "I thought you wanted rough sex" (not sure how, I'd said several times during foreplay, please be gentle).

This morning he's making me feel like I've done something wrong. I said technically he had raped me by penetrating me against my consent without a condom - he got annoyed when I used that word and said "fine we aren't having sex ever again if you're going accuse me of that - from now on this is a sexless relationship and I'll stay just for the baby".

I'm so confused about the whole thing. Did he rape me? Should I have spoken up sooner and said stop when it hurt? I just can't make sense of any of it and I don't want him anywhere near me anymore. Sad

OP posts:
category12 · 06/11/2021 12:44

I wouldn't advise telling him not to come home tonight, tbh. If he wasn't a copper, I might, because if he turned up anyway and tried to force or persuade his way in, you could just call the cops. But in your position, you're likely to be too afraid that it'll escalate things so he'd lose his job (or that the police who turned up would take his side) for that to be an option.

I think you should go to family or friends, take a few days out from it, get time to think somewhere you're safe.

KurtWilde · 06/11/2021 12:47

Can we just remember that this person is an actual human being with a life and a child ? Just because people have read a lot of stuff about a particular awful human being - doesn't make this particular in incident the same.

The action that a rape victim takes in regard to her perpetrator lies with the victim. It is not something that she can be bullied into by a forum of anonymous posters who have no understanding of her reality.

Absolutely this.

I'm sorry you're going through this OP. There's a lot to process. At the end of the day, people posting on this thread - as good as their intentions are - will go on about their day whilst you - on the back of what's been said on this thread - may end up doing something you can't undo.

There's been some great advice, support, links etc. But you're emotionally vulnerable, and there are a lot of loud, angry voices on this thread (rightly so) insisting on what you should do.

I'd gently suggest maybe stepping back slightly to unpick how YOU feel and what YOU would like to do, going forward. That would definitely be easier to do if your DP was out of the picture, for now at the very least.

And no, I'm not encouraging OP to continue her relationship, I'm encouraging her to focus on her own situation (that none of us on here have a clue about) in order to make the right decisions for her and her baby's future. It's very easy to shout LTB. Not so easy to execute irl. Been there, done that.

ArabellaScott · 06/11/2021 12:50

OP, I'm so very sorry. My heart really aches for you.

Posting this to hopefully show that you are far from alone. This website was set up specifically for survivors of abuse from police officers:

police-me-too.co.uk/

(content warning, contains survivors' stories)

There's a page of links that you may find of use.

Take good care of yourself. Lots of great help, advice, and support on Mumsnet if you want it. You can and will recover from this. Flowers

ArabellaScott · 06/11/2021 12:51

Also, hear hear, KurtWilde.

What OP chooses to do is her choice, entirely. She should get nothing but warm support, a place to vent and understanding here.

Tivolia · 06/11/2021 12:56

OP do get advice from the rape crisis centre and Women’s Aid. You clearly gave consent to sex with a condom and he reneged. They call this stealthing: www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-39705734. He was (and has been) physically rough with you despite you clearly saying to him that you’re delicate. He’s had his hands over your throat (without permission) on a few occasions (I’ve had this too) and it’s threatening. You’ve spoken to him about this and he got angry. He’s being emotionally, sexually and physically abusive

TrollsAreSaddos · 06/11/2021 12:57

I mentioned this earlier but has he put anything in writing about what happened. It might be useful to you.

Bellringer · 06/11/2021 12:57

Go to your friend or family, be safe. Rest then make some calls. You need some help from women's aid probably. You will get through this

angryandscared1 · 06/11/2021 12:59

@TrollsAreSaddos

I mentioned this earlier but has he put anything in writing about what happened. It might be useful to you.
I messaged him to say he has made me feel disrespected by not wearing a condom despite me asking repeatedly. He has replied with just "sorry". Nothing else.
OP posts:
angryandscared1 · 06/11/2021 13:00

He's just walked in from work, I'm upstairs with the baby. My heart is racing, I don't want him near me but I want an explanation.

OP posts:
ChristmasGrogu · 06/11/2021 13:03

Text a friend to come round in 30mins, gives you the confidence that whatever happens will stop when they do. So if you want to ignore him do so, if you want to talk or shout then do that.
If my friend texted, me or even a random school mum saying something had happened and they needed company but couldn’t explain, I would do it in a heartbeat. As long as I was drunk/couldn’t drive/was in the country.

Justilou1 · 06/11/2021 13:03

You’re not going to get a satisfactory one.

ChargingBuck · 06/11/2021 13:06

People feed off the fact they think it’s your shame that will keep you silent.

Well said, @ChristmasGrogu

You've taken a brave first step in posting here OP.
Your friend will want to help you. She would be horrified to know this happened, & that you felt shame & a need to keep your rapist's secret. Talk to her, & stay with her tonight, if she is able to have you.

mpz731play · 06/11/2021 13:07

The explanation is that he's got a rape fantasy, probably as a result of watching some porn featuring rough sex.

IMO there's no coming back from this. I'm sure there are people out there who could help him - in time - but don't burden yourself with trying to 'fix' him.

If they watch too much of the same type of porn, it becomes normalised for them.

lotusgirl909 · 06/11/2021 13:10

Get out of this quietly and quickly as you can and don't look back.
He does not respect you and sounds dangerous.

Cloudyzebra · 06/11/2021 13:11

There is nothing at all to be gained by asking him for an explanation. It will only wind him up and put you at more risk. He has already explained that he got "caught up in the moment" which you know is a bullshit excuse for ignoring your very clearly expressed boundaries. He will not suddenly see the error of his ways. I would strongly advise you to either leave or ask him to. If you are scared contact the police to help with getting him out. Take some time to seek advice, and process this on your own before you decide what to do next.

Courtier · 06/11/2021 13:11

@beautifulview

Well. This relationship is over. I’m not sure if it’s technically rape because you consented but he didn’t respect your boundaries and you’d clearly stated what you wanted. It’s just not ok and I can’t see how you’d ever want sex with him again
It is rape because she consented to sex with a condom. She did not consent to sex without a condom. Therefore he did not get consent for the sex act that occurred.
nomorefrogs · 06/11/2021 13:11

I suspect he will not want to discuss it with you and try to sulk, if he does he will minimise, deny, attack you and make himself the aggrieved party. This is what abusive men do. It's a technique called DARVO. If he really panics he will suggest doing something lovely this weekend to try and brush it off and move on. I would ask him to leave for the weekend so you can gather your thoughts. And do tell your family. Do not keep his dirty secrets. Finally, the hand on throat thing is a huge flag that you are at serious risk from this man.

Fireatseaparks · 06/11/2021 13:13

You aren't going to get an explanation, OP.

He'll plead ignorance and then apologise but make it seem like he's being gracious by apologising because you're being ridiculous (you aren't).

He'll make you feel like you sent him the wrong signals (you didn't), or didn't express yourself clearly (you did).

He'll make you feel like you're being oversensitive (you're not) and remembering things incorrectly (you're not).

He'll say you're to blame for not having sx enough (you're not).

He'll make you feel guilty if you try to leave, saying you're ruining his life and the baby's life (you're not).

He'll tell people (and you) you're crazy and try to get them to contact you.

He'll try to control you through child access if you do leave.

There's a playbook with that type, OP. Sorry. You can get through this but it's not going to be smooth sailing.

ChargingBuck · 06/11/2021 13:13

@angryandscared1

He's just walked in from work, I'm upstairs with the baby. My heart is racing, I don't want him near me but I want an explanation.
If you ask for one, he will give you his, gaslit, version of events, & manipulate you to accept it to let him off the hook.

There is only one explanation.
He enjoyed committing violence against you, he got off on your lack of consent, he liked your pain.

He has already escalated from verbal anger & deliberately making you fearful, to his hands round your neck, & now last night.

You don't have to accept his bullshit excuses or lies about what he did, you don't have to take any more anger & violence from him, & you don't have to wait until he escalates further.

Can you text your friend, now, & ask her to come over or have you visit?

Deep breaths OP.
You are still reeling with shock, but are strong & clear in your mind.
Hold on to that, & reach out to your friend.
If you can get to her place, you can rest, process, & start making contact with GP & support organisations.

xx

Justilou1 · 06/11/2021 13:16

@angryandscared1 - I want you to know that I have collected a new acquaintance and her kids from her home with only a “Can you come and collect us? Can’t talk. No one else to ask.” Text.
Women don’t do that unless something very bad has happened.

DerbyshireMama · 06/11/2021 13:21

Men like this never give a genuine apology.

They may play the part if it suits them but that's all it ever is - a self-serving make believe act. They never see that they're in the wrong so for them there's nothing to regret or feel sorry for. It is always fake. Every time.

MyLifeNow20 · 06/11/2021 13:22

So sorry you are going through this, lots of very useful advice though. x

IfIHadAHeart · 06/11/2021 13:47

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bigred22 · 06/11/2021 13:51

@IfIHadAHeart

What shift was he working where he was at home with you last night but home from work already?!
He's probably left early!
WonderfulYou · 06/11/2021 13:53

There have been threads on MN where I have supported the mans POV as the line between consent and non-consent was very blurred.
E.g there was one where the female initiated things and was pretending to enjoy herself and gave no indication that she didn’t want to do a certain act. Then afterwards she said she felt weird about it as she didn’t actually want to do it but there was no way he would have known she felt that way at the time.

In this situation there were no blurred lines.
You said you didn’t want XYZ and he went ahead and did XYZ.
He is going to act like he didn’t realise or thought it wasn’t a big deal. But you told him and he knew EXACTLY how you felt.

I would feel so violated that he did this to me that I would struggle to even look at him ever again. The relationship would definitely be over.