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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

Should I warn her of abusive family member?

85 replies

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 10:05

My BIL is a very 'tricky character' as his mum would say, over the past 15 odd years he's gone through a string of relationships that have ended very poorly.

We have supported some of his ex's over the years and know that he has been emotionally and financially abusive. I personally believe he is purposefully targeting vulnerable women to fund his ongoing opioid addiction (the addiction is a fact - the targeting more of a grey area).

To the best of my knowledge he has never been physically abusive but has taken £1000s from each woman, forced them to sign expensive car leases, lend him money, moving into their house as a cocklodger etc. He has done this by destroying their confidence and through a web of lies (eg. he doesn't live with his elderly mum... she lives with him etc) as well as manipulating them (threatening suicide etc.).

As you can imagine we don't see eye to eye but we know all about his goings on through DHs mum and see him when our paths cross at her house. MIL loves him dearly and is terrified of losing him to either an OD or suicide, she believes he's any minute away from turning his life around.

Now to our current issue...

There's a new woman in his life. We've looked at her social media and for the first time there's young children involved (including a baby!). Me and DH have young children of a similar age and it looks to us like she's recently separated from her partner.

His classic 'take out loans to wine and dine and look wealthy' wooing technique is in full swing. He's asked us (DH, children, me and rest of family) out to dinner next week to meet her AND her children, the thought of sitting at a table and looking this woman in the eyes makes me feel sick.

Should someone warn her of the impending shit storm rolling into her and her children's lives? Or should I keep my nose out of other people's business? How would I even do it, DH would support either way but MIL would be furious if she found out we got involved.

OP posts:
Brigante9 · 25/09/2022 10:44

I’d tell her, the fallout with children involved could be horrific. Can you, via general conversation, make it clear that he still lives with his mum? Why does you4 mil tolerate his nonsense?

Skelligsfeathers · 25/09/2022 10:46

I would 100% tell her

UserError012345 · 25/09/2022 10:52

Oh god you MUST absolutely tell her. Without a doubt.

oldstudentmum · 25/09/2022 10:55

Oh hell yeah send her a message via social.

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:02

Brigante9 · 25/09/2022 10:44

I’d tell her, the fallout with children involved could be horrific. Can you, via general conversation, make it clear that he still lives with his mum? Why does you4 mil tolerate his nonsense?

To be honest I think he's got a very strong hold over her, if she even dares to suggest something he doesn't like or refuses to give him money etc. he'll start saying how she wants him dead, it'll be all her fault when he's 'finally had enough'.

It's made her so stressed and unwell over the years.

I'm so concerned for her children, the fact he's obviously already been introduced to the children (we don't allow any unsupervised contact with our DCs, I wouldn't even leave him in a room with them while I went for a wee!)

OP posts:
thisisscary · 25/09/2022 11:10

Tell her. She may not hear you but tell her anyway.

Luckingfovely · 25/09/2022 11:14

Tell her everything, in the strongest possible terms, as soon as humanly possible.

Don't prevaricate or gloss over the uncomfortable bits. For the sake of her children, let alone her, it's the right thing to do, as uncomfortable as it may be.

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:16

UserError012345 · 25/09/2022 10:52

Oh god you MUST absolutely tell her. Without a doubt.

How should I do it though? Other than "can you please pass the salt (name) oh by the way has he told you he's been a drug addict for the past 20 years and bullies women into payday loans to get his fix?"

OP posts:
ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:17

oldstudentmum · 25/09/2022 10:55

Oh hell yeah send her a message via social.

From myself or anonymously?

OP posts:
UserError012345 · 25/09/2022 11:18

Stick to the facts. No sugar coating. Give it straight up.

I'd want someone to tell me and I'd listen.

sleepymum50 · 25/09/2022 11:19

I’m the sort that would tell her, and then try to maintain contact with her so I’m around and would try to help.

I know that would be too much interference for some people.

Threelittlelambs · 25/09/2022 11:21

She won’t listen ….

Threelittlelambs · 25/09/2022 11:22

Maybe just give her your number and say she free to pop round with the kids anytime she needs to talk?

Sandra1984 · 25/09/2022 11:22

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:17

From myself or anonymously?

Maybe keeping it anonymous is a good idea. It can get to your MIL and cause a problem in the family or in the relationship with your husband.

TheMoops · 25/09/2022 11:23

Definitely tell her. She probably won't do anything right now but it might cause her to be more vigilant.

I'm going through something similar with my friend at the moment except there is violence involved ( not to her yet). She's not really listening but she knows we're here to support her.

It's hard though.

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:24

sleepymum50 · 25/09/2022 11:19

I’m the sort that would tell her, and then try to maintain contact with her so I’m around and would try to help.

I know that would be too much interference for some people.

This is sort of what we got involved in with his most recent ex but they'd been together over a year and we knew her well.

She ended up calling DH for help in the middle of the night and he went to pick her up and she confirmed the suspicions we'd had for many years with previous partners.

And now it's like watching a slow motion car crash and I just want to cry.

OP posts:
DismantledKing · 25/09/2022 11:25

Yes, of course you should tell her.

Butterfly44 · 25/09/2022 11:25

I'd keep it anonymous as your name would be out and then he and mil would not talk to you.

He would then be onto the next one no doubt and it would all be done without knowledge. Can your DH not have a word and say don't get involved with women that have kids???

Is there definitely no chance he'd turn around and has actually fallen for her?

catandcoffee · 25/09/2022 11:27

The fact she's already introduced her children to him, isn't a good sign.
Do it anonymously OP.

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:28

Sandra1984 · 25/09/2022 11:22

Maybe keeping it anonymous is a good idea. It can get to your MIL and cause a problem in the family or in the relationship with your husband.

I think if I was to put anything in writing it would have to be anonymous. I imagine the first thing she'd probably do is confront him about the message and I do NOT want my name stuck on that!

There are so many ladies out there that he has hurt that he could never pin point who sent it.

He could probably explain it all away, he can be scarily charming when he wants to be!

OP posts:
Sandra1984 · 25/09/2022 11:31

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:28

I think if I was to put anything in writing it would have to be anonymous. I imagine the first thing she'd probably do is confront him about the message and I do NOT want my name stuck on that!

There are so many ladies out there that he has hurt that he could never pin point who sent it.

He could probably explain it all away, he can be scarily charming when he wants to be!

Include his ex's names on the note in case she needs to call them for references 😂

ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:31

Threelittlelambs · 25/09/2022 11:22

Maybe just give her your number and say she free to pop round with the kids anytime she needs to talk?

I was kind of thinking of this one, maybe following her to the loo and saying here's my number, you can call or message me any time of the day or night if you need us.

That would freak me out enough to raise a lot of red flags but don't know if it's enough.

OP posts:
ConcernedSIL · 25/09/2022 11:37

Butterfly44 · 25/09/2022 11:25

I'd keep it anonymous as your name would be out and then he and mil would not talk to you.

He would then be onto the next one no doubt and it would all be done without knowledge. Can your DH not have a word and say don't get involved with women that have kids???

Is there definitely no chance he'd turn around and has actually fallen for her?

I think he has loved at least some of them, but he would rob his own nan of her last 50p.

His mental health is incredibly fragile and we all walk on eggshells around him.

But it doesn't stop me from wanting to grab her by the shoulders and tell her to get her kids and run.

OP posts:
mamas12 · 25/09/2022 11:38

Terrible situation for tpu

  1. Dh to have a word because of the children - do you think that would work without repercussions
  2. how is mild health are you able to contact adult social services anonymously re his abuse of her
  3. contact new girlfriend anonymously
  4. Also could you contact the ex to send something as well?
Ragruggers · 25/09/2022 11:42

Do you know where she lives?If so I would get a friend to write or type a letter and post it out of area,less likely to link it and she may read a letter.She sounds vulnerable with small children.Your MIL has enabled his awful shameful behaviour,how can she not see what she has done and continues to do so.He will take the last penny and has no conscious.I wish you luck but you should try to protect this latest women if you can.

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