NC for this as I want to be anonymous.
When I was 16 I was in a relationship with an older man. I was very vulnerable and wasn’t actually attracted to him, and in hindsight I can see he groomed me. He worked in a position of power and authority so I naively trusted him. Over the course of three years he raped me on a regular basis and was emotionally and financially abusive. I managed to get out of the relationship but it left me traumatised.
Years later I reported it to the police and an investigation began. I found out that he had since left his job, moved out of the area and got married. Another of his ex girlfriends came forward to report that he had also been very abusive to her. Despite this, unfortunately it was deemed there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
I recently saw this man out and about with his wife, I don’t think they saw me. I hadn’t thought about him for a long time but seeing him brought back a lot of horrible memories. Out of morbid curiosity I googled him and found their social media. They appear to have moved back here. They seem very happy and have a nice life.
I can’t understand how someone could stay with a man who was accused of abusing not one, but two women. She is educated and works in a caring profession. Is it possible he has never been abusive to her? I just can’t get my head around this. I’m also worried I’ll see them again.