Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

Seeking gentle support after recognising abuse and coercive control

95 replies

Becksta1 · 27/04/2026 18:44

Hello. I posted on here last July and the previous post can be seen following this link.
It was kindly suggested to me to consider doing another post to maybe get further support. I’m not sure where I’m at emotionally and truly what I want. It’s a process I guess and I think it will be a long tough one 😞
I can’t really say what I need but I’ve spoken to Women’s Aid who have said there’s sexual abuse, financial abuse and coercive control in my relationship of 24 years. Any support, gentle advice, or a virtual shoulder to lean on is much appreciated.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5370025-husband-wont-let-me-do-the-food-shop?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Theysignoffquick · Today 14:39

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

@Theysignoffquick if you’ve read all of the posters comments, she’s in a controlling relationship where there is abuse. What would stop her doing what you’ve said is fear of repercussions. It’s hard to be bold like this when every aspect of her life is being micro managed. I say this gently when I say it but try and have a bit more empathy. Sometimes those who have never been abused don’t see those invisible shackles. It’s all harder than it seems. She’s struggling and is asking for gentle help. Which is what most of us are trying to do:

Theysignoffquick · Today 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:42

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Stop berating her. She can’t talk freely with her husband home and he rarely leaves her alone or is tracking her. @Becksta1 resching out for support is one way she cab so it quietly. I don’t really understand why you are being so harsh and not reading her posts.

Becksta1 · Today 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I didn’t call WA last July. I made attempts, I think in November but couldn’t get through in the time that I had. My first actual conversation was on Saturday. I don’t know what you want me to say or do.

OP posts:
BeesAndCrumpets · Today 14:43

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

No. Not helpful on this thread.

Agapornis · Today 14:43

Don't worry about it, take your time. People tend to offer lots of different advice and some are hasher than others. Read what you find useful - ignore the rest.

At this stage, it sounds like you mostly need others to explain and validate the things that are happening to you. I'm sure it's been recommended before, but there's a book called Why Does He Do That by Lundy Bancroft. You can read it here https://dn790007.ca.archive.org/0/items/LundyWhyDoesHeDoThat/LundyWhy-does-he-do-that.pdf
There is probably an audiobook version, but be careful with listening to that on any shared accounts.

Theysignoffquick · Today 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:44

@Becksta1 you don’t have to say it do anything, you’ve done nothing wrong and this should be your safe place to talk. If people don’t like what they are hearing they don’t have to post on the thread. I actively encouraged you to start a new thread to get support and most of it has been kind and understanding x

Theysignoffquick · Today 14:45

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Becksta1 · Today 14:45

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:44

@Becksta1 you don’t have to say it do anything, you’ve done nothing wrong and this should be your safe place to talk. If people don’t like what they are hearing they don’t have to post on the thread. I actively encouraged you to start a new thread to get support and most of it has been kind and understanding x

Thank you. I think I’m going to give myself a bit of space. I am grateful for the support.

OP posts:
Theysignoffquick · Today 14:47

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Agapornis · Today 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Have you noticed the title asking for gentle support? Do you feel you're providing that?

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:49

@Theysignoffquick why do you continue to carry on in this unhelpful and aggressive manner? The op is clearly very vulnerable so I am not sure why you continue to question what she’s saying. Give her a break!

Theysignoffquick · Today 14:50

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:51

It’s a shame. On threads like this, there is always one person that is so harsh the op leaves and another life line for her is cut off :(

Agapornis · Today 14:53

Becksta1 · Today 14:45

Thank you. I think I’m going to give myself a bit of space. I am grateful for the support.

Please know that 1 twat doesn't mean you need to leave. MNHQ has deleted the unhelpful posts. We're here for you.

BeesAndCrumpets · Today 14:54

Not in this case it isn't @Theysignoffquick

The title, incase you need reminding: Seeking gentle support after recognising abuse and coercive control

If you can't manage that, scroll on by.

goodThingGonewrong · Today 14:56

@Becksta1 I hope you come back. A great bunch of supportive women here wanting to listen to you.
You can lead this thread and ask for the help you need. I think you can see the majority understand your position very well.

Becksta1 · Today 15:53

Thanks everyone for being so supportive and kind. I’m trying to process what just happened. I know it probably came from a place of frustration and that’s understandable. I am quite slow at taking things in and it takes me longer than most people and it’s something that I do recognise. I will give myself a bit of time to ground back into body and snuggle my beautiful children. I’ll speak again soon as honestly, the support and kindness shown by people who don’t know me is so heartwarming.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page