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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

Is this sexual coercion?

161 replies

Peps4646 · 12/08/2025 16:07

In the 20 years I’ve been married, my husband has always had a higher sex drive than me. We have sex 1 or 2 times a week. If I don’t want to do it, he goes in a mood and takes it out on the children or our animals so it’s just easier to do it to keep the peace. We arrived on holiday on Sunday and we had sex in the afternoon. Yesterday (Monday) he said he wanted it again in the afternoon when we all went for a sleep but I fell asleep on my sunbed and told him I wasn’t in the mood. He barely spoke to me when we went out in the evening for dinner. But he also didn’t engage in conversation with our two adult children (20 and 23) or their partners. He has hardly spoken to anyone all day and I know that if I go and have sex with him he will be out of the mood and it will be a better atmosphere all round. My daughter has been asking me what’s wrong with him and asking if his mood is to do with her or her boyfriend. My husband has always behaved like this if he doesn’t get sex. He expects ‘porn star’ sex a couple of times a month and complains if there’s too much vanilla sex. I feel he’s only ever really interested in a conversation with me if it’s about sex. If I try to tell him anything about my work or general life he just nods and then will say something to completely change the subject. He never apologises after a disagreement. I’ve literally cried in front of him and (embarrassing to admit) hit myself in the face out of sheer frustration because if we argue, I know I have to go to him and say I was in the wrong and apologise to make it right between us- he can ignore me for days and days. Recently though, I have been seriously thinking of divorce as I can’t go on like this for the next 20 years. Is the sex stuff coercion? I’ve googled it but not sure if my situation fully relates to this. I’m sat here on the balcony feeling guilty for my children and I’m thinking I’ll just go and have sex with him so we have a nice evening. On the one hand this sounds ridiculous but on the other hand, is it me being selfish on everyone? I just don’t know.

OP posts:
Campingisnexttogodliness · 12/08/2025 20:55

Start planning your exit op. It will be lot easier with adult dc. And adult dc who will likely en disgusted you have been abused this whole time.
Because you have been /are in an abusive relationship..

GlosGirl82 · 12/08/2025 22:50

You’re being abused. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. This is not the respect you deserve. Please be safe. Get a hotel room with your children and go stay there until you can go home and get a solicitor. Keep a diary. Move cash into a separate bank account if you don’t already have one. Tell your children and ensure that they protect you and that you are safe. Please value you yourself and end this relationship

Pinkpelicanwinstherace · 13/08/2025 12:36

It's good your married
You will get half of everything
The kids could choose to help with the bills in your new home ,or they could rent somewhere themselves
The sooner you go for divorce the sooner you get your own place
Much easier with adult children
I'm sure your daughter will be a support to you ,sounds like she's got his number alright

AgentJohnson · 13/08/2025 12:53

If I don’t want to do it, he goes in a mood and takes it out on the children or our animals so it’s just easier to do it to keep the peace.

It’s called coercive control. He gets you to agree to sex with him, knowing you don’t want, by behaving badly towards your children which he knows you want to avoid.

Your H is a manipulative horrible excuse of a man. What would your advice be to your daughter had a partner who was doing to her what your H does to you? You’d be rightly furious.

Social conditioning, porn etc have led many women to accept shitty behaviour because we have been taught our wants and needs are secondary. You’re not stupid.

Channellingsophistication · 13/08/2025 13:12

Yes, this is coercive. Sorry you're going through this. He sounds vile. I would do your research, get legal advice then divorce him.

Whatbloodysummer · 13/08/2025 14:22

In all honesty OP, I'd continue to refuse to have sex with him regardless of whatever shit he pulls trying to ruin the holiday.

It'll actually work in your favour to have his vitriol and moodiness witnessed by your DC and their partners.

It will simply show them exactly how horrible, selfish and coercive he is to you and them when he doesn't get everything his own way.

If you have any money in joint accounts, move your half immediately with internet banking.

When your DC ask 'What's wrong with Dad', tell them the TRUTH.

No sugar coating, no minimizing, just the facts. He's having a tantrum because he's not getting sex as and when he demands it !

Make plans with your DC's and their partners, doing the stuff you all enjoy.
HE can either join your 'group' or fuck off on his own.
Don't let his sour puss and stupid comments bother you, just either laugh and say 'I'm not interested in whether you're going to the supermarket or not. If the kids or I need anything, we'll go ourselves' or completely ignore him if he's spitting out passive aggressive 'comments'. Just totally blank the fact that he said anything at all !

Mark this holiday as the time you stopped dancing to HIS tune, and began your plans to leave him.

Gamerlady · 13/08/2025 14:30

Your husband is a disgusting pig, manipulative arsehole causing an atmosphere , what a horrible man. Enjoy your holiday with your family and take no notice of him. Once home tell him you're not putting up with it no more. He either changes or leaves.

Iloveeverycat · 13/08/2025 14:47

He either changes or leaves.
What on earth makes you think he is going to change after abusing and using coersive control for over 20 years.

TaborlinTheGreat · 13/08/2025 14:51

He's a pig. Depressing how many threads there have been lately by women married to sex-pest pigs. Please don't waste the rest of your life on this 'man', OP.

ForFunGoose · 13/08/2025 14:58

OP do not have sex with this man again.
I would confide in DD about the unhappiness and mention other issues too if you think full disclosure is too much.
When you get home get a solicitor and a therapist to help you put your plan in place.

Good luck Op

nopiesleftinthisvehicle · 13/08/2025 15:09

Like a PP has said, I personally wouldn't have hesitated to tell everyone affected (ie, everyone 🤨)
what his mood is all about.

The shame is all his and everyone you tell are adults.

I've done this myself with previous coersion attempts.

He's relying on your embarrassed silence and subsequent compliance - and the fact he involves innocent animals in this gives me the absolute rage.
I don't even want to know what he does or doesn't do to them 😡

Iloveeverycat · 13/08/2025 15:10

TaborlinTheGreat · 13/08/2025 14:51

He's a pig. Depressing how many threads there have been lately by women married to sex-pest pigs. Please don't waste the rest of your life on this 'man', OP.

I was thinking the same. It is so sad to hear that so many women are suffering so much due to mens actions and behaviour.
I was also shocked and saddened the other day at how many women were saying they were physically abused by their parents.

EmiliaBassano · 13/08/2025 15:28

Iloveeverycat · 12/08/2025 16:26

I am so sorry you have had to put up with this abuse for 20 years. He is evil in what he expects of you and the fact that he takes it out on your kids and animals. Get out now and get on with your life.

Edited

She's put up with it for longer than that as the oldest DC is 23. OP he's a nasty piece of work, I don't know how you have put up with this. My ex was like this but not as bad as that. Poor doggos or cats as well as you and the DC. Horrid man, take steps in the right direction and good luck.

maowmaow · 13/08/2025 15:42

OP please do confide in your adult children, you are kidding yourself they can’t see there is something very wrong.
You are all just so used to pacifying him, and skirting round round this abusive silent treatment, don’t let it go on any longer.

Find the strength to tell him and your family you want a divorce. And get ready for his “oh I’ll change and won’t do this again” spiel.

Respect yourself, and show your adult daughter this is not how a marriage should be.

good luck

WellIquitelikesprouts · 13/08/2025 16:02

He’s abusing you OP. Time to find the best way to leave him. I’d suggest getting a counsellor to support you and help you work out the details. Best of luck to you x

Icecreamhelps · 13/08/2025 16:10

Yes it is coercive behaviour. I suffered similar sulking, moaning, accusations of affairs. He would grope me whilst I was asleep and wake me up. I left 8 years ago I just couldn't live like that anymore.

Deadringer · 13/08/2025 16:33

If we don't do it he takes it out on the kids or our animals he is a piece of shit. Ltb

Peps4646 · 13/08/2025 19:46

Icecreamhelps · 13/08/2025 16:10

Yes it is coercive behaviour. I suffered similar sulking, moaning, accusations of affairs. He would grope me whilst I was asleep and wake me up. I left 8 years ago I just couldn't live like that anymore.

And can I ask how your life is now?

OP posts:
Elle771 · 13/08/2025 19:51

The kids will know/notice more than you realise...
100% get out of there and enjoy your freedom

Only had to read the first few sentences to know its abuse. No normal person "takes it out on the kids and animals" if they don't get sex!!!

Ladedahlia · 13/08/2025 19:54

Lovelynames123 · 12/08/2025 16:25

Tell him to go and have a wank, then tell him you want a divorce. Spend your time with your dc on holiday and start making plans to separate as soon as you're home

This. How you’ve put up with this as long as you have is bewildering. What an absolutely vile sex pest.

Disturbia81 · 13/08/2025 19:58

My god what a pathetic human being he is. Ruining peoples holidays because of sex!

Bathingforest · 13/08/2025 20:32

If you enjoyed his sex drive, OK. But it seems you don't. You also don't like him. Aren't we supposed to desire our partners ....
Well. You know you both got problems and don't like each other so why forcing it further

Bathingforest · 13/08/2025 20:34

About coercion not sure. But you both definitely hate each other

pinkyredrose · 13/08/2025 22:13

Bathingforest · 13/08/2025 20:34

About coercion not sure. But you both definitely hate each other

Are you a man? It's a clear cut act of coercion ffs!

Peps4646 · 13/08/2025 22:39

Bathingforest · 13/08/2025 20:32

If you enjoyed his sex drive, OK. But it seems you don't. You also don't like him. Aren't we supposed to desire our partners ....
Well. You know you both got problems and don't like each other so why forcing it further

What does ‘if you enjoyed his sex drive, ok’ mean?

OP posts: