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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

Husband left me and my teenage children on New Year. I have no idea what to do now. (Content warning: concerns sexual abuse and domestic violence)

345 replies

FrolickingFannyBoots · 06/01/2022 05:39

Hello all lovely ladies on mumset, I really really need some help in a crisis situation please. I have no one to turn to at the moment and am totally alone.

The day before New Year, my husband of almost 20 years walked out on us and went to his parent's house. He has been having an emotional and possible sexual affair for some time I believe and I was suspicious for two years. Typical middle aged man, younger woman scenario. I am 50 and she is early 30's. She has been after him for more than a a year now and has moved moved down to London from Glasgow to be near him. He helped her move here and is now involved
much more closely.

He has become cruel, unkind and heartless toward me, speaking with a different voice, sending me authoritative emails about when he is returning to collect his things and stating that he is not going to divorce yet. The house is in his name and he says he will not sell. I simply do not recognise him and my kids are absolutely devastated.

Last month, we were buying gifts for parents and friends together in a antique shop. He bought a Molton Brown Christmas bauble saying it was for his mum. I thought it was odd as he has never been interested in toiletries. Later that week, I found that and the same set of hand creams he had bought me in a bag with pants, new ladies black t shirts and socks by his desk - I knew it was a bag packed to go to this woman. She is Polish and works in IT. They met at a mutual friend's wedding in the Czech Republic in 2019.

Before he left last week, I tried to reason with him to save our marriage. I consented to sex ( it's been many months ) but he then basically rammed my legs open, shoved himself inside me, had an orgasm. He came out, turned over and went to sleep. He hurt me. he has never done that before, but because i initially consented to help keep him at home , I cannot claim rape .The next day he said he had angry sex, that he had used me and taken advantage of me. I wish I had recorded this!

He has now kept on and on texting me with accusations of my emotional abuse abuse in arguments; throwing lots and lots of text messages etc at me from the past. He has recorded all out arguments and sent them to me as evidence. But they actually show even in 2018 that I was asking him about our relationship and how unhappy I was. He never replied to the issues I raised properly. I admit I have behaved badly in arguments and shouted but never threatened him in any way.

Last year, he hit me with a bottle after a row which was thrown across the room and caused me extensive bruising all across on my arm, a large hematoma and significant pain. I did not press charges. He says that I am the abusive partner due to my verbal bullying. I do have photos.

He now states he is leaving me but not my children. He tells me he does not love me, never has and wishes he never married me. He is demanding to return to the house after leaving last week to see my 3 teenage kids aged 14,16 and 17. They do not want to see him.

He says he will come back, see them, collect his things and go back home to his mum and dad for good. He is insisting on a trial separation and will not divorce me until he is ready. That he will keep
me in in our family home ( an area I really don't like or want to stay in) until my youngest is 18. He is dominating every conversation and interaction we have now. He refuses to respond via text most days and calls me instead when convenient for him. He has suggested that the come home at weekends only and stay at his mums during the week. \he says he will not come home again to stay as I am forcing him into a relationship again where he will be abused by me verbally and I'm a bully. He says alternatively I could leave. Yet just last week he was out with me going for a long walk and a take out coffee.

I have nor slept or eaten at all well since he left. In November, 2019 I just started a new job full time in education after a 17 year break as a stay at home mum. About 2 weeks into this, he started telling me I was awful, how wanted to leave and goaded me every day stating he no longer wanted the relationship and that he was leaving. I ran off on the day he told me day last month and went to my local woods to walk, think and had a drink to calm myself down after he stated he was leaving. He said if I did that again he was leaving.

I believe he has been planning this exit for a long time with this woman. He says he is as his parent's house. I have begged him to come home but he says I am controlling and manipulating him.

I do not know what to do. Should I file for divorce? He is saying that he will work at his parents and come up weekends to see the kids and help with the house but has left me. I do not think that this is helpful as he will be with this woman while I am alone. He is very evasive about the relationship and tells me nothing about it. He has been very secretive for months and months. I was so suspicious- I tried every thing to get evidence.

He wants to wait for the no fault divorce but I do not. He has been so so awful to me and rude every day since I started work. I have a large abdominal hernia and separated abdominal muscles. I need
significant surgery plus have diagnosed mental health conditions and am in in NHS therapy. I am quite weak. He is younger, no health problems. l I live in a small town with no support. I cannot drive and he has taken the car. I have nothing now. I am on compassionate leave from my work as I am trying to help support my children and am too distressed to work in school with the stress. he says I should just go to work as get on as normal.

If anyone could provide me with some advice I would be very grateful. I am at a total loss. I can barely write and it's been a few days now. This man has blind sided me, although I was very suspicious,. He has abandoned me and the children taking no responsibility.

He is just blaming and accusing me saying its all my fault. He will not return and says if he comes back he comes to see the kids and then will go back to his parents. I have no family to help or friends, I am alone here. I had no notion that he would leave like this, he has clearly been encouraged and prompted by this woman to leave me and built up to it He says he wants divorce later but no decision has been made. My two elder kids are in their final year of exams- my son Year 11, daughter Yr 13. This is so so stressful for them but they don't see the long term consequences. He says he will never be reconciled to me ever again.

I have £600 in my account and that's it. Should I apply for a divorce? What should I do ? I can't have him here just waling back in and dominating me. He has said that if he stays, he will have sex with her and then come back regularly after 3 days. He then asks me if I am in love with him and talks about our cats. He is expecting me to just carry on as normal while he leaves me with no support or help with my physical problems. The house is in need of real repair and renovation, it's in quite a state and he's just left me with it here in a poor condition,. I cannot run it alone with no notice. I have stated all this to him in texts but he ignores me.

Sorry this is long. I am desperate. I have no money, no car, friends of support, My job is minimum wage due to my physical problem of my hernia stopping me working in my old career as a teacher. My DH has literally upped and gone and turned into this awful awful man who now thinks I'm scum. He is so rude to me now and just exopect me to continue as normal without him. He told me he said in his mind- "just one more row over something small and that's it" Yet he is now making me go over and over all out rows from 4-5 years ago. I gave up my career, my health and life to move to Kent from London to facilitate his life. What should I do? Should I cut contact? I am just devastated by this.

Thank you for any advice. I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
ClawedButler · 06/01/2022 09:44

Just wanted to chime in with a message of support, I'm so sorry for you that you're being subjected to this treatment.

He's like a silly foghorn. Making big loud silly noises. Of course he wants to dictate terms - he's terrified that you'll call out his bullshit, so he's creating a narrative and laying down the law as loudly and forcefully as he can, hoping to drown your budding independence before it can emerge.

You don't have to listen to him. You don't have to engage with him at all. You don't have to have his permission to see a solicitor. You don't have to accept a single word he says. It's just big loud noises that make no sense.

Calmdown14 · 06/01/2022 09:46

Now is the time to model the behaviour you'd want your children to learn from as they embark on relationships.
I get the impression you have been ground down and struggle to do things for you so it might help to do it for them. Would you want your daughter treated this way by a man? Don't teach her it's acceptable.
I was so proud of my mum following divorce. It was tough but she came through it and you will too.

He is pushing you for the reactions which fit his narrative. Don't give them to him. He is goading you deliberately. Be as calm as possible, show no emotion (scream later, punch a pillow, vent on here).

Stop taking his phone calls. Deal in writing or through a solicitor.

Go for a walk, coffee with a good friend and decide what you want. Would a house move to an area more suited to a non driver be better?

Life with him is over. There's no going back from this and you deserve better. Start thinking about what you want and cut out his noise while you decide.

I'd send s text saying you need time to process this and to decide on your next steps and you will contact him in a couple of weeks. Then just ignore him for a little while to get some breathing space without being bombarded with a hundred different scenarios depending on his mood

2Hot2Handle · 06/01/2022 09:49

Sounds like you’re in shock right now and he’s coming at you heavily to try to keep you in check. You’re allowed to have time to process this, but you also need to act quickly to look after your mental health. Muster all the strength you have and keep reminding yourself that HE is in the wrong. YOU are in the right.
My advice:

  • Even if you consented to sex, you did not consent to be hurt/assaulted during sex. Talk to the police to get advice and determine whether you can take this further. Let them know about additional intimidation and your fears.
  • It doesn’t matter what he says the situation is. He will do what he can to keep control. Doesn’t mean he’s right.
  • Record any future conversations with him. Remain calm during the conversation. Write a list of questions/points you want to capture during the recording. Get as much of it over text as possible.
  • Get legal advice on what you are entitled to now.
  • If you’re not working, once you feel able, get the best paid job you can, to get financial freedom.

I hope you find a way to turn things around soon.

Smurf1984 · 06/01/2022 09:49

My goodness this whole post could have been written by me! OP this is almost a carbon copy of what I went through just over 6 years ago, the teenage children, the debt/DMP, the starting work after being a SAHM, the other woman, everything! Please take the advise of others on here…

Universal credit immediately, you need to have money coming in.
If your name isn’t on the house (mine wasn’t either) in the uk you can register your home rights through the land registry, this means your ex cannot sell the house from underneath you, you may feel he won’t do this but he’s clearly an arse so don’t think anything is beyond him.
Do not respond to any message unless about the children and try your best not to message him…I know it’s hard.
The divorce will come but for now focus on rest, your children and making yourself as stable and comfortable as possible.
All these things that you think you cannot do right now you can, you’ll get strength reserves you never thought you had! I also had no family support and really had to get my head down to get through it….please believe me when I say you will ❤️❤️

Greenrubber · 06/01/2022 09:50

@FrolickingFannyBoots

You can't make someone be with you you are worth more please don't lower yourself by agreeing to sex just to get him to stay again!
You might not think it but your better off without him

People telling you it's rape unfortunately unless you told him to stop then it's Not rape
He took advantage and he's a dick but it's not rape

PretzelneedsSalt · 06/01/2022 09:54

Phone women’s aid for help, I really think that could be first on your priority list.

During my divorce, I had support from a case worker at a local agency that supports women in abusive relationships. She was a godsend.

I remember phoning her one day and crying on the phone. I had just phoned 5 different solicitors re: divorce. Each one initially said that could act for me, but also asked for my ex’s name so that they could check there was no “conflict of interest”. Each one went away and then phoned me back to say they couldn’t take me on as there was a conflict of interest.

Two weren’t even in our town! And they weren’t the ones he was ultimately used either, which meant he had had a consultation (I assume the free ones) with at least 6. I knew it was to block me, our divorce was relatively straightforward on paper, no reason to see so many.( At this point, also, he had told me we should do it amicably without solicitors and made out he had not spoken to any!)

I called the case worker and I remember saying to her “I can’t do this, I give up, he’s won”. It really felt that the end of even trying to fight back.

My children were playing on a bouncy castle nearby and it was a sunny day, I was sitting around the corner a bit so they didn’t see me cry.

She said to me “You are going to put the phone down now, phone another solicitor and if they say the same thing - you are going to put the phone down and call another one, you are not giving up”. She was firm. I needed that. The next one I phoned was able to act to meSmile

You need support from someone who is used to dealing with men like your husband. They follow such a script. I have since worked in a mental health role where some of the clients had come from/were in abusive relationships. As I listened to their stories, it sounded like they were all talking about the same man at times, and I could have finished their sentences for them.

Your husband might fancy himself as being a bit unique and special - but isn’t, he is a bog standard abuser. A coward and a bully.

Get on the phone now to Women’s Aid now and get started Flowers

AgentJohnson · 06/01/2022 09:55

Prioritise and disengage.

Talk to a lawyer and stop communicating with him.

He has done you a massive favour by leaving and now you need to capitalise on that by never letting him back in.

TALK TO A LAWYER!

LetsGoDoDoDo · 06/01/2022 09:57

Im so sorry you are going through this Flowers

If you are still struggling to accept that he has been abusing you then I recommend you call the national domestic abuse helpline 0808 200 0247 for clarity and support.

Contact a divorce lawyer who specialises in domestic abuse cases.

You don't need to make any decisions yet, just have a conversation and find out your options.

Life will get better. Good luck OP.

TheABC · 06/01/2022 09:58

What a sack of shit he is. Judging from your replies, he is a classic abuser who has done his best to isolate and control you.

You have already had some good advice on here. Get on the phone to the solicitors and fill out a UC claim form. You cannot afford to be dependent on him in any way, shape or form.

Right now, it's going to feel overwhelming. He stuck you in an invisible prison built up over many years: it's going to take time to escape. Make a list and aim to tick just one thing off a day.

  • Finances: get that claim in. Ditto a claim with the CMS. Long-term, the divorce will help as he's saddled you with all that debt and an albatross of a house. Be very clear about your finances when you speak to CAB/the solicitors. Look forward to a fresh start.

  • Report the abuse to the police. The rape, the assault, the emotional and financial coercion. They may not press charges (burden of proof is too low), but it establishes a pattern if things go to court over finances or kids visitation. We both know your ex is not going to offer an amicable divorce.

  • Health: are you on a waiting list for the hernia to be fixed? Can you go back and speak to the doctors about different options as it's having a significant effect on your life and work? Don't worry about the operation logistics: report your fucking ex to social services if you won't step up to look after the kids whilst you are in surgery.

  • It's not a priority, but take a look at Woman's Aid Freedom Programme (they do it online). He chose you for a reason: you had a weak support system in place and a background of abuse. You don't want to repeat that mistake again if you start dating.

You are going to be fine. The fact you are a teacher makes it a lot easier to pick and choose where you want to live (once the hernia/kids exams are sorted). Your children older, and therefore less dependent on you (which means they can sort out contact time directly with the ex once and speak up about where they want to live.) A hernia can be fixed, allowing you some quality of life, again. You are about to lose a lot of weight: 10 stone of abusive nutsack. Just imagine shutting the door on him for good. No more second-guessing. No more fear. It's going to feel brilliant.

Actually, you should send the other woman some flowers. It might not feel like it now, but she's done you a massive favour.

SunflowerTed · 06/01/2022 09:58

@moremoony

Get your solicitor sorted then write him a one line message “I will no longer be responding to any messages from you. I am divorcing you for adultery. Any further communication will be through my solicitor. Here are his details” then mean it. You will have a better life
Love this!
I0NA · 06/01/2022 09:59

[quote Ladybugzrock]@FrolickingFannyBoots your marriage has been slowly and systematically eroded by this man’s abusive behaviour for a good couple of years from your post. This is not a sudden break down. It’s time to look back and realise enough is enough.

Self care first dear lady. Eat healthily, drink water, STD tests. Focus on your children and creating a safe new normal for them.

Grey rock him first of all. No contact whatsoever. Do not give him any opportunity to emotionally and mentally abuse you anymore. No contact = no new hurts. Arrange an email address where you can answer questions about finances and the children on your terms.

No ‘pick me dancing’ no begging this abuser back, let him go, you’re worth so much more.

Get to a solicitor. CAB will help. Hey there and find out about your financial rights. You need a plan, a route forward, to do that you need clear answers to your rights.

I’d refer yourself for counselling. Most NHS trusts have a self referral system, that will help you face the difficult times ahead.

Read ‘leave a cheater gain a life’, very helpful book at understanding the mindset of a cheat and helping you unpick why he’s so vitriolic in his accusations.

Move forward with purpose.[/quote]
Thsi is exactly what I was going to write.

The most important thing here is your own physical and mental health. You must protect this at all costs, for your own sake and that of the children.

So eat, drink and stay away from the alcohol to calm you down. That’s a slippery slope in your situation.

Phone your GP TODAY and ask for counselling.

Phone the police TODAY and arrange a visit from a specialist domestic abuse officer when your kids are at school. Tell them about the physical assault last year . They will advise you on the sexual incident but like you, I think that it may not be an offence as you consented ( however morally repugnant it was ).

Aftre your own health, your next priority is stability for the children. Due to their ages you want to keep them at the same school if you can. Talk to the lawyer about staying in the house.

Make a claim with the CMS today . Phone then up. You don’t have to pay anything if there’s domestic violence. Tell them the children are with you 100% of the time .

Apply to the council TODAY for single adult discount.

Talk to the children calmly and ask them if they want to see their father at all. If so, make sure this happens OUTSIDE your and their home.

He can take them to MacDonald’s etc if that’s what they want.

Don’t discuss with the children how he has behaved , however tempting it is.

When are you getting your operation so you can go back to teaching? You really REALLY a need a decent well paid job now, now NMW.

Go on the money saving pages on Money Saving expert website and see where you can save money. Your older kids might be able to do this kind of thing for you - my 16 year old did this when I was in your situation. He got rid of Skye and Now, got Freeview, got rid of our phone line and got a much better deal on all our phones on a family plan.

ScribblingPixie · 06/01/2022 10:05

You've had good advice, OP, and I wish you all the best. Reading your post, I genuinely think you're on the journey to a much better place.

I just wanted to say, do make sure you're eating properly. Prioritise nutrition even if you don't feel like eating. Make homemade stews, soups, breakfast bowls, fruit salads. Small bowls of goodness. Just go through the motions. It'll help you stay strong in all ways.

moremoony · 06/01/2022 10:06

Stop listening and taking on board what he says as being true or the law. Of course he would say it’s not rape. That doesn’t make it correct. Of course he would say you can’t file for divorce. Remember he is NOT the king of England and he doesn’t get to tell you what to do. Start demonstrating strength to your daughters. You say you have no friends but you now have all of us behind you. When you’ve divorced him and you have your strength back then you can get a social life. You have no social life because this man has drained you for the past 10 years!! We can help you but the first thing is to get the finances sorted. Is he working? Get free advice from a solicitor.

bluedomino · 06/01/2022 10:09

Speak to CAB.
Put in CMS claim immediately.
Apply for Universal Credit NOW today, it will take 5 weeks to come through and isn't backdated.
Look at FLOW women's aid (Finding Legal Options for Women Survivors) they will direct you to Legal Aid solicitors in your area. You may qualify for Legal Aid due to the Domestic Abuse they can apply for an occupation order for you. It lasts 6 months so you have breathing/thinking/planning space. I have changed my lock and leave keys inside other doors. You can change locks if you fear him and get a Non Molestation Order.
Only email from now on, you don't have to communicate with him on his terms. Absolutely NO whatsapps, too easy to delete. The recordings tell me he's abusive and controlling, if they were done without your knowledge no one will take them seriously. If he is pestering you, get a new cheap mobile, give him that number and block him on everything else. Then only check that phone when you feel strong enough. I'm about 4 months ahead of you. Take it an hour at a time. Also keep a diary of everything as your brain is mushed and you will need notes. Good luck

ClawedButler · 06/01/2022 10:16

Your husband might fancy himself as being a bit unique and special - but isn’t, he is a bog standard abuser. A coward and a bully.

This. So much this. Ohhhhhh I wish I could be a fly on the wall when it begins to dawn on him that things are not going to go his way as much as he hoped...

CornishGem1975 · 06/01/2022 10:23

I agree with reporting the abuse. As a victim of domestic abuse (which you are, don't be in any doubt of that, it can be hard to recognise it yourself) you won't be forced into things like mediation, which can be a relief.

BerthaBlythe · 06/01/2022 10:23

I’m so sorry that you’re going through this.

What you described was rape - you consented your sex but you didn’t consent to violent, nasty, abusive sex. You may not get a conviction but it is still worth reporting. And report the assault as well.

He’s an abusive, nasty piece of work. No good man would do these things. And provocation is a pathetic excuse - good men walk away; they don’t throw bottles at people who are physically weaker than them.

I’m sickened at his description of “angry sex”; he hasn’t the slightest bit of self awareness. He is an appalling human being.

But…..and this is the important part …he wants to leave and this is a gift to you. Trauma bonding is confusing you now but this is your escape and I can promise you that when you get away from him, you will be able to breathe again- you will be able to be again. The future is wonderful but you have a hard bit to get through first. Imagine that you’re in a burning building, filled with smoke and the flames getting hotter and you find a window. You have to break through, struggle through and drop from a height - it’s hard- but the rest of your life is out there on the other side. You can do this. You might feel alone but we’re here, strangers on the internet, here to support, advise and cheer you on.

thingymaboob · 06/01/2022 10:24

The fact that he is trying to force you into staying in the house until youngest is 18 makes me think that he has already sought legal advice and that he's well aware that it's to his advantage to bully you into doing this.

Your priority must be to see a solicitor. Based on your circumstances, you will have lots of rights and your STBEXH probably knows what those rights are (as he's almost certainly had legal advice) which is why he is aggressively and forcefully trying to tell you how things are going to go. He wants to manipulate you and situation. You need to urgently seek legal advice and only correspond through email. Good luck!

Also, read Helen Thorns "Get Divorced, be happy" book for some uplifting inspiration

CornishGem1975 · 06/01/2022 10:25

And read this www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/coercive-control/. He's not just being a dick. Coercive control is a criminal offence.

Harrysmummy246 · 06/01/2022 10:27

Start divorce proceedings yourself. Don't let him dictate that too. Keep anything he sends you. Note it all down

Harrysmummy246 · 06/01/2022 10:31

Do not text him, do not answer his calls. Talk to a women's refuge to be safe if needs be. He's been abusive and gaslighting you, now is the time to stop allowing it. Stop letting him talk about whether you love him or not, that's also more manipulation

Velvian · 06/01/2022 10:32

You need to see a solicitor, they may be willing to wait for payment, once you have released some marital assets. I would suggest that the first step would be having a charge placed against the property (I think under the Family Law Act). Once this is complete, your solicitor could potentially force a sale.

hivemindneeded · 06/01/2022 10:34

This is small comfort, I'm sure but in every single case of a man leaving a woman for someone else, including a man I know and love dearly who is the sweetest gentlest person normally, they become someone else. their personality shifts into this hard authoritative monster. I think it's to avoid truly dealing with what they are doing.

You are better off without him. You cannot live happily with someone who has checked out and shows you no love. That is painful to realise at the time, but long term, you will emerge stronger, more confident and far far happier.

For now, just focus on taking good physical and emotional care of yourself and your teens and excellent legal care of your rights and finances. He will expect you to roll over and do as he instructs while you are in wounded mode. DON'T.

Wheresthebeach · 06/01/2022 10:35

[quote Ladybugzrock]@FrolickingFannyBoots your marriage has been slowly and systematically eroded by this man’s abusive behaviour for a good couple of years from your post. This is not a sudden break down. It’s time to look back and realise enough is enough.

Self care first dear lady. Eat healthily, drink water, STD tests. Focus on your children and creating a safe new normal for them.

Grey rock him first of all. No contact whatsoever. Do not give him any opportunity to emotionally and mentally abuse you anymore. No contact = no new hurts. Arrange an email address where you can answer questions about finances and the children on your terms.

No ‘pick me dancing’ no begging this abuser back, let him go, you’re worth so much more.

Get to a solicitor. CAB will help. Hey there and find out about your financial rights. You need a plan, a route forward, to do that you need clear answers to your rights.

I’d refer yourself for counselling. Most NHS trusts have a self referral system, that will help you face the difficult times ahead.

Read ‘leave a cheater gain a life’, very helpful book at understanding the mindset of a cheat and helping you unpick why he’s so vitriolic in his accusations.

Move forward with purpose.[/quote]
Good point about the age of the kids - and his motivation.

OP - please follow all the good advice and get help. Woman's Aid, CAB etc.

You've been in an abusive relationship for a long time so it's going to be hard. But you 100% have to cut him off and find your anger, and protect yourself. He doesn't get to rule the roost anymore. Everything he says, everything he does is self serving. Stop listening.

Ohbotherpiglet · 06/01/2022 10:36

Personally, I don’t think you need to tie yourself in knots over whether it was rape unless you are seriously thinking of going to the police about it. It was a horrible thing to do and it has made you upset and that’s the important bit, not whether it was rape or “just” horrible behaviour.

He sounds like an awful man Op. he doesn’t have a right to tell you where you have to live. But you don’t have to make big decisions today. Find your anger, stop wanting him back and start thinking of what YOU want to do and then from that you can start to think of what’s possible.

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