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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:
JanglyBeads · 10/11/2021 09:10

Have only read your posts on this thread, but I just wanted to show support.

If speaking to Rape Crisis feels too big a step atm, you could ring Women’s Aid / a local domestic violence service? Or your health visitor if she’s good to talk to? Or GP, basically any professional who you’ve felt comfortable with in the past.

You will get through this, I can tell from your posts that you are strong and sensible, although you’re being gaslit by him.

All those friends and family who you don’t want to bother: believe me, if they knew what you (and your lovely baby) were going through they’d drop everything to help and be glad to. Your sister obviously has her own issues.

ArabellaScott · 10/11/2021 09:13

I'm so very sorry to hear about what happened with your sister. If it helps, it sounds like she is sorely in need of help to process her own experience (not, I hasten to add, from you).

She is not in a position to help you, unfortunately.

In this situation support/advice from an experienced professional, such as someone at Women's Aid or Rape Crisis, is probably going to be more help.

HelloTreeWindow · 10/11/2021 09:34

I’m so sorry your sister said and did that against your will. Who the fuck phoned him for his side? Honestly ignore everything he and your sister said. Of course he’s going to downplay to everyone, he’s going to assume he’s being recorded and is never going to admit to another he raped or hurt you. He will always lie as he did to you. That doesn’t change that you know what he did and everyone here believes you and will support you to leave him. Your friend believes him.

I can’t believe she phoned him!

MzHz · 10/11/2021 09:48

@angryandscared1

My sister was in an abusive relationship until very recently, she finally left him after months of me and the rest of the family telling her she was in an unsafe situation. She had marks on her arms and was regularly in tears telling me what he had done to her. I pointed out to her that I was nothing but supportive when she was in an abusive situation herself - she replied "I wouldn't say I was being abused, it's not the right word". Hence her comment to me "you shouldn't throw those words around lightly".

Her perception is skewed, right? It must be.

Yup

Totally fucked up

Most abuse victims are raised, the skewed thinking begins in childhood - so not overly surprising that you’re both victims of similar behaviour in relationships

My sister was unspeakably cruel to me when I was trying to get out of the abusive relationship, my whole family were tbh.

Your sister isn’t an ally, put a bit of distance between you and her

Who the fuck does she think she is calling him for his side like that!?

JanglyBeads · 10/11/2021 10:09

Oh and I didn’t know if any pops said this as haven’t RTFT, but even him just answering “sorry” by text, when you’d messaged him telling him how he shouldn’t have done what he did IS evidence - screenshot it and keep the conversation.

JanglyBeads · 10/11/2021 10:10
  • I don’t know if any pps
AdamRyan · 10/11/2021 10:58

So the latest is I confided in my sister ... and she promptly called him for "his side". Resulting in him managing to convince her he did nothing wrong and this is all because of my "postnatal depression". My sister also said to me (and I quote) "rape / abuse are not words that should be thrown around lightly".
WTF - she's not Team Scared. Try not to discuss this with her again as she's not going to help.

It's so hard to discover the thoughts of your family when you are also going through this yourself. This is not your problem, it's hers. Probably if she agrees he raped you, it makes her have to acknowledge things about her own history she doesn't want to. Your ex is giving her a way to not do that. Stay out of that mess - you know your reality

Sugarntailsnluvlyspicysnails · 10/11/2021 11:07

Yes, your sister's opinion is way off. She demonstrated that by calling him for "his side". That's a truly awful and unsupportive thing to do. I'd avoid talking about it any more with her.

As PPs have said, try to talk to someone about it even if it's just the GP. I hope you get the support you need. I'm so sorry this has happened to you.

Bellringer · 10/11/2021 12:26

So sorry op. Keep going, don't speak to him or idiots. Looks like

Bellringer · 10/11/2021 12:34

Looks like rape crisis doesn't appeal, they will still be there later. Legal advice re custody, separate from him. Women's aid. Speak to health visitor. Good wishes

Mix56 · 10/11/2021 12:51

Oh so your H is now playing the "Post natal depression" card.
Because you didn't consent to him raping you.
Thats a classic in the abusers text book, & just tops off his abusive behaviour.

chaosmaker · 10/11/2021 13:03

Sending you support, OP. Stay with your friend, don't involve your sister any more as you know her perception is damaged by her own trauma. Definitely get in touch with anyone who can help and that you feel confident to talk to. Starting to tell people is a great first step and I'm really glad you've been able to do that Flowers

ikeepseeingit · 10/11/2021 13:28

Your sisters perception is that way because she can’t admit to herself that she was abused. If she admits what your husband did was wrong, then what happened to her also makes her a victim. Don’t look to her any more OP, she’s not in a position to help you and I’m really sorry about that. Call the numbers you have now OP, and ring your friend again, take all the support you need.

Lifewith · 10/11/2021 13:46

I would not tell your sister another thing. Use your energy for support right now.
Be careful of taking advice on here OP who say to confide in family, not everyone has family they can turn to.
Please speak to a professional rape advisor and keep talking to your friend.

Lifewith · 10/11/2021 13:48

Basically your sister has just been used as a flying monkey by your partner. Classic abuse tactic. And because she is in the cycle herself and not being able to see it, she is only contributing to this. She can't help you right now

billy1966 · 10/11/2021 15:14

@Mix56

Oh so your H is now playing the "Post natal depression" card. Because you didn't consent to him raping you. Thats a classic in the abusers text book, & just tops off his abusive behaviour.
Text book.

Question the sanity of the woman objecting to being beaten and raped.

Your sister should be ashamed of herself calling him for his side.

Tell her nothing going forward.
Mind yourself.
Flowers

Askingforfriend · 10/11/2021 15:32

Your sister cannot see clearly because of her own experiences. Her limitations shouldn't define what happened to you. If she is not able to support you in the way you need, find someone else.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 10/11/2021 15:36

I hope you are OK. I would trust your friend more as she seems to understand.

Don't discuss anything now with your sister, she thinks she means well but this was a total breach of confidence, whatever her opinions.

Please contact Womans Aid and let them know this new development and take whatever steps you need to, to feel safe.

Nanny0gg · 10/11/2021 15:46

@angryandscared1

She did follow up with "I'll support you in whatever way you need", but she just strongly objected to my labelling of it as abusive. 🤷‍♀️
Because she can't face/accept that's what happened to her
Lweji · 10/11/2021 16:11

Her perception is skewed, right? It must be.

Definitely.

Many previously abused women can be very supportive, but clearly not her.

PickupaPenguin8 · 10/11/2021 16:14

I’m just thinking.. the husband felt it was OK to force sex without a condom which hurt his wife even though he believed she had severe post natal depression? What does that say about him?

itsallgoingpearshaped · 10/11/2021 16:51

Your sister's a deluded dick. I'm sorry, but she is and she's grossly wrong. I'm outraged she would not only entertain but take his side.

I'd block her for a while, frankly.

Justilou1 · 10/11/2021 17:52

I am so sorry that you confided in your sister. You know that the reasons/excuses she used to stay as long as she did will be similar to the ones you use.

longtompot · 10/11/2021 18:29

@PickupaPenguin8

I’m just thinking.. the husband felt it was OK to force sex without a condom which hurt his wife even though he believed she had severe post natal depression? What does that say about him?
I agree. Why does he think her having pnd means this is ok?
Bellringer · 10/11/2021 18:43

Because he is a lying bastard, he can't even see how it looks. Op keep away from him, supervised contact. Take care

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