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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

How to help DD escape toxic relationship? (Sorry, v long)

140 replies

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 19:42

DD (21) has been/is in a horrible relationship for about 18 months.

(Although this is long, there’s a hell of a lot more to this but I know people here IRL and don’t really want to out myself, or her. Have NC for this.)

She is currently back living with me after a few awful, awful weekends where he has provoked her into self-harm, suicide attempts and drinking too much with his cruel words.

He is manipulative, misogynistic, believes all women are evil and crazy like his mother, is mentally and financially abusive. Coercive control. Hates her few friends, you know, the ‘usual crap’.

He persuaded her to move in with him (ie rent a place together) after just 5 months, and he didn’t want her to tell me their plans, so I found out only a week before she left. Red flags everywhere.

They recently moved to a new town, further away, so she was unable to get to her work. She doesn’t drive, and there’s no public transport. She was paying her entire daily wages for cabs until she had to resign.

He also called the police on her at least a couple of times this past month, I believe (she ran away from him last weekend and they picked her up). He’s (poss maliciously) reported her too for physical abuse but the police found no evidence, took no further action.

he has also said he intends to get her sectioned. And he nearly succeeded last weekend (he works in social care, so knows the words to use).

Her mental health is fragile, always has been. GP has upped her meds now. Boyfriend forwarded a letter to her from his local mental health hospital yesterday but I don’t know what it says.

She was released (from hospital) into my care a week ago. So far, so good. She’s calm, doesn’t seem heartbroken. We’ve had some laughs and lovely time this week.

But, I am terrified she will go back to him. I believe he’s said he will ‘take her back once she’s had help’.

She's not talking to me about it all - much. A few bits here and there but while she was with him, all day, every day. He knows I know a LOT about their life and is furious. And is now apparently at war with me! Hah!

I’ve found a counsellor for her to talk to next week (no idea how I’ll afford it, but that’s the least of my worries).

All her stuff is still at the house. and her pet. She won’t discuss getting any of it back, which is why I think she plans to return.

But I need to know how to help her leave for good, for her sanity. And mine.

he is obsessed with money - he writes IOUs even though he earns 10x what she did - even now when she’s earning nothing.
Pretty sure he will come at her for rent soon.

and how does she get off the tenancy?

My mind is all over the place. Apologies for the length, I just need some outside input on how to help her escape this guys clutches.

OP posts:
MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 22:21

Hopeful bump?

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 22:27

Your poor DD. I have no idea how to protect her and move forward but I would encourage you to speak to Womensaid and ask them for advice Flowers

Takeabreather23 · 14/10/2023 22:29

This would be my worst nightmare .
Im sorry I don’t have the words .

Maybe given a few more days away form
him she will start to think clearer and be ready to speak to you .
Possibly Gently tell her you are worried for her an hope she is ready to talk about getting her pet soon .

Best way forward is for her to have not contact with the evil shit then you call the police for her stuff to be collected .

Hope you get some more support on here .

Autumcolors · 14/10/2023 22:29

Women’s aid. And the freedom programme - maybe you could do it together. There is hope.

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 22:41

Thank you so much for replying.

ah, the freedom programme - the irony is he wants her to do it as he can only view everyone through the lens of his own life - therefore she is obviously ‘a child of an abusive mother’. Nothing could be further from the truth. He truly is an unbelievable egotist.

I will definitely get her to give it a go, when she’s more stable, I think.

He made her stop taking her antidepressants last year as ‘his love should be enough to cure her’. 🤢

OP posts:
Autumcolors · 14/10/2023 22:46

Im so sorry. Watching Someone you Love in a coercive control relationship is the worse thing. Keep talking to her. Always have a place for her to come too. Make sure you have some support too.

billy1966 · 14/10/2023 22:46

Have you spoken to her GP.

Please contact Women's aid and ask for advice.

Tell them that he is using his job to manipulate her.

Get advice about reporting him to the police.

I would be contacting his employer to report him for abusing your daughter via his job, and tell them that you are involving police.

Don't be fobbed off.
Email the police your concerns.
Ask to speak to a senior officer.

Nothing like having the police involved and his work being contacted for him to lose interest in her.

You need to bring real grief to HIS door.

Start with Women's aid and the police.
Get advice regarding contacting the LL and mention domestic abuse.

I can well imagine your upset.

Autumcolors · 14/10/2023 22:49

PS if the police will arrest him/invite him for questioning about the CC that can be a good time for her to collect her items. Ask the police to help. Hopefully they will. Proving it is very difficult but it does give a window to get the essentials and run.

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 22:56

billy1966 · 14/10/2023 22:46

Have you spoken to her GP.

Please contact Women's aid and ask for advice.

Tell them that he is using his job to manipulate her.

Get advice about reporting him to the police.

I would be contacting his employer to report him for abusing your daughter via his job, and tell them that you are involving police.

Don't be fobbed off.
Email the police your concerns.
Ask to speak to a senior officer.

Nothing like having the police involved and his work being contacted for him to lose interest in her.

You need to bring real grief to HIS door.

Start with Women's aid and the police.
Get advice regarding contacting the LL and mention domestic abuse.

I can well imagine your upset.

I like your thinking! I’m more than ready to nuke his life, once I am absolutely sure she won’t go back to him. I am damn sure she’s still talking with him.

He’s done such a number on her mind, in a relatively short time, she thinks she deserved it all, and that she is the bad, abusive person. 😢

I am pinning my hopes on the therapist I’ve found to help turn her around.

main problem is, he got in first with the reporting to the police, so she is now utterly terrified of them.

Because they moved recently, she only saw her new gp for the first time on Friday.

will get advice from women’s aid on some practicalities.

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 23:00

If the pet is a DDog, some people do issue a County Court Claim to get them back. She's need proof that she owned it though.

CrapBucket · 14/10/2023 23:06

This sounds terrifying and you are doing amazingly for your DD giving her this safety net/escape route. The only thing I would add is, can you also include someone else to the safety net that DD may trust, a family member or friend, so it’s not Ex v You. Just someone coming round for a cuppa and chatting about what’s on Netflix or whatever, nothing heavy.

Pinkbonbon · 14/10/2023 23:07

Go to the police together and make a statement. Even if nothing comes of it, they'll have his abuse on record somewhere amd he won't be able to pull the 'she's unwell' act easily I future if she's in a vulnerable situation where she has left him and he's trying to get them to leave her with him.

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 23:15

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/10/2023 23:00

If the pet is a DDog, some people do issue a County Court Claim to get them back. She's need proof that she owned it though.

The dog is a problem as he can’t come here for many reasons 😢 I think this may be the major sticking point. It’s not like he will try to keep the dog, he doesn’t like it.

so many layers of shit with all this.

OP posts:
NW1738 · 14/10/2023 23:16

Was “earning 10x” an exaggeration?

Or was she working only a few hours a week?

MrsRainMac · 14/10/2023 23:21

CrapBucket · 14/10/2023 23:06

This sounds terrifying and you are doing amazingly for your DD giving her this safety net/escape route. The only thing I would add is, can you also include someone else to the safety net that DD may trust, a family member or friend, so it’s not Ex v You. Just someone coming round for a cuppa and chatting about what’s on Netflix or whatever, nothing heavy.

I second this.

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 23:22

CrapBucket · 14/10/2023 23:06

This sounds terrifying and you are doing amazingly for your DD giving her this safety net/escape route. The only thing I would add is, can you also include someone else to the safety net that DD may trust, a family member or friend, so it’s not Ex v You. Just someone coming round for a cuppa and chatting about what’s on Netflix or whatever, nothing heavy.

Unfortunately there is no one. I agree it would help distract her. Her best friend moved away last month to do her masters. They are planning a meet up at the end of this month, so DD has something to look forward to.

She is a great support (and we talk, too), but long distance now.

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 14/10/2023 23:23

Personally, I'd involve the local 1st XV.

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 23:23

NW1738 · 14/10/2023 23:16

Was “earning 10x” an exaggeration?

Or was she working only a few hours a week?

0 hours, part time waitress. He forced her to give up her previous job as she was in close contact with men.

OP posts:
MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 23:24

RosesAndHellebores · 14/10/2023 23:23

Personally, I'd involve the local 1st XV.

I’m thinking Hells Angels tbh!

OP posts:
Pinkbonbon · 14/10/2023 23:24

I'd recommend maybe watching some YouTube videos by doctor Ramani about narcissists (how to spot them, what they are, and the hoovering techniques they might try to pull when you leave).

Seeing these sort for what they really are and how they all pulling the same shit, really helps to break their hold on us.

MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 23:25

Thank you for being here.

OP posts:
MamaSigma · 14/10/2023 23:31

Pinkbonbon · 14/10/2023 23:24

I'd recommend maybe watching some YouTube videos by doctor Ramani about narcissists (how to spot them, what they are, and the hoovering techniques they might try to pull when you leave).

Seeing these sort for what they really are and how they all pulling the same shit, really helps to break their hold on us.

Wow! Thank you so much! These look perfect - she’s not a reader, but does absorb the spoken voice. I shall show her that channel and 🤞🏻

OP posts:
doitwithlove · 15/10/2023 21:02

Hi there, can you go to the property and get her belongings / is there any friend or relative who can take the dog on till things are more settled?

I had a similar situation with my dd, hubby and I went to the property and took majority of her belongings.

Tigger1895 · 15/10/2023 21:31

Has he been in contact with you personally? If so screenshot everything before he deletes the thread

Gloriously · 15/10/2023 21:48

Is he older than her?

Do you know his relationship history?

Can you do a Claire’s Law enquiry?

All the actions you note are classic coercive and controlling behaviour which is illegal under the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.

Speak with professionals because his type are very dangerous and manipulative. Know that his brain and tactics are working faster and deeper than you will ever know - so involve the professionals - WA, police, GP so that YOU know what you are dealing with and how to manage because NORMAL RULES DONT APPLY in these situations.

Be careful not to steamroller her though. Or put her in the middle between you and him especially if she has all or nothing / back and white thinking.

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