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

I think i am in a controlling Marriage and I coerced into Sex frequently.

55 replies

dunky1234 · 07/05/2026 21:49

I’m new here so apologises if this is the wrong place or not appropriate but I need some advice - This may also be long so bare with me.

Ok here goes,

Ok here goes,

I am new to this community and last night I posted in a different community asking if my husband is controlling. After explaining what happens a few replies were in fact - Rape by coercion.

Basically my husband of nearly 20 years makes me feel guilty, tries to bribe me and will get extremely angry/grumpy and his personality changes to the most horrible man ever and will pick a fight over anything at all if we don’t have sex for maximum 3 days.

Now I understand that people have needs but I am a mother of 4 children (2 under 5 years old) and I worked over 45 hours a week.

I would do every single thing to do with the house, children EVERYTHING!

We had a business which is in the process of administration and to top it off myself and kids got caught up in the Dubai War situation and now back in the UK staying with family. We were over there visiting family and my husband made out I was being dramatic over the whole thing but I’m sorry having missiles flying over our heads is not dramatic and following the advice from the UAE government to stay away from windows etc is the safest thing to do with my children not to mention army bases getting hit next to where we were staying and the noises of the explosions getting intercepted above the house was terrifying for me and my children.

You could actually see the missiles through the windows getting intercepted- yes the government is incredible but no thank you.

Even after the birth of my children (All C section’s) I have had to tell him to be patient with me as I can barely move let alone be intimate. I would then get - I want to feel close to you blah blah.

When it comes around to “doing the deed” or even just lying in bed and I am exhausted my eyes are shut I get woken up by him banging around to wake me up so we can be intimate as I have promised him and i probably do promise him from the night before we would have sex the night after if i have fallen asleep.

He will purposely try and keep me awake or fight and shout at me until all hours of the night / morning until I give in or he will tell me the marriage is over as I can’t meet his needs etc and sometimes he actually leaves the room and sleeps downstairs in-fact one evening he left the house altogether.

My husband is living in the UAE and we are separated but since I have been gone loads of things are now starting to come about his behaviour. The longer I’m away the more I start to notice this.

For example - When I was in the UAE I asked permission to go to a hotel pool with friends and after I got there he was grumpy and angry that I went - his friends didn’t like the hotel pool I was at as it has a reputation for “escorts” 😳

I ended up leaving as I was worried sick that he was going to kick off at me over this even though I asked his permission.

I was correct he picked me up and basically shouted at me the whole way home and into the evening.

He hasn’t physically punched me but over the years he has strangled me, threw me across the floor etc and he got arrested but let out 2 days later as i felt horrendous and guilty for the police coming.

There is so much more I can write about it but I don’t know what to do….

He is now making up random lies and trying to “catch me out” by calling my 18 year old son when all I am currently doing is sharing a bed with my 2 young kids and the 3rd is on the floor on a mattress in the living room and daily supermarket runs with my dad and take the kids to the park for an hour.

Last weekend he was going crazy at me because my dad took me to Starbucks’s.

Has anyone else gone through this?

It is playing on my mind and I just need to understand how to process this and what my action plan is.

I was meant to return to the UAE but the more I am out of this the more I don’t want to be in this situation.

OP posts:
WarriorN · 08/05/2026 06:03

From what you’ve said, I’m concerned that he could become worse if he knows you’re not returning.

I think you need to speak to the police

ilikeeggs · 08/05/2026 06:30

Please please don’t go back to the UAE! You’re in an abusive relationship and need to get out. Please file for divorce and call women’s aid - it may be safer for you to go to a women’s shelter if he returns to the UK

Ginorchoc · 08/05/2026 06:36

Is your husband British? Do you all have UK citizenship.

LuluWearsATutu · 08/05/2026 06:43

Please contact Refuge. He is a dangerous man.

Squidgytoo · 08/05/2026 06:44

@dunky1234

This might be a useful listen. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hj410j?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

There are 8 episodes in all.

I don’t want to frighten you but there are some really interesting things about recognising coercion and control and advice on what to do if you think you might be in such a situation.

Assume Nothing - Femicide: Eight Steps to Stop a Murder - Episode 1: A History of Control - BBC Sounds

Stage one of the Homicide Timeline starts before a couple even meets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hj410j?origin=share-mobile&partner=uk.co.bbc

category12 · 08/05/2026 07:48

dunky1234 · 07/05/2026 22:00

Yes but I am worried if he knows we have moved back in. He will fly back and try and move in also. One minute he is never leaving the UAE and the next he might….

He can only move in if you let him.

If he does come back to UK, don't let him in the house.

Dery · 08/05/2026 07:51

As PPs have said, he is horribly abusive in a range of ways. Non-fatal strangulation is known to be a key indicator of future homicide. It’s great that you have got away from him. The UAE is not a respecter of mothers’ rights so is a particularly dangerous place to be in a DV situation. If you can face it, speak to Women’s Aid and also report him to the police. He is a man who sounds capable of harming your shared children to get at you and you may need to try to restrict his access to them if he returns to the UK. This will be difficult but having evidence of his violence should help.

thetinsoldier · 08/05/2026 07:54

zurigo · 07/05/2026 21:59

Stay here. Don't go back. File for divorce!

Your horrible husband is an violent, manipulative, abuser who coerces you into sex you don't want and attacks you and prevents you from sleeping if you don't give in. You need to speak to the police and get a restraining order against him before he kills you Flowers

This.

see the police ASAP.

dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 07:57

Morning everyone,

Thank you,

I appreciate all your replies.

I guess I posted this to make sure that this isn’t normal behaviour it’s hard as I have been with this man since I was 19 years old.

Then before that it was just little silly relationships as a teen if that make sense.

The main thing I was really concerned about and can’t stop thinking about is the coercive sexual abuse when I even write this down this is the worst and I can’t believe that I am even saying it out loud.

I appreciate everything you have all suggested.

OP posts:
WarriorN · 08/05/2026 08:00

category12 · 08/05/2026 07:48

He can only move in if you let him.

If he does come back to UK, don't let him in the house.

yes, get the locks changed and inform the police. Inform anyone and everyone.

please show this thread to someone you trust

WarriorN · 08/05/2026 08:01

dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 07:57

Morning everyone,

Thank you,

I appreciate all your replies.

I guess I posted this to make sure that this isn’t normal behaviour it’s hard as I have been with this man since I was 19 years old.

Then before that it was just little silly relationships as a teen if that make sense.

The main thing I was really concerned about and can’t stop thinking about is the coercive sexual abuse when I even write this down this is the worst and I can’t believe that I am even saying it out loud.

I appreciate everything you have all suggested.

it is and it’s good that you’re now recognising it.

you do need support though as you will be dealing with the realisation of this alongside having to make sure you’re all protected.

you will be ok in the long run you need practical and emotional help and supports

dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 08:03

This is where I feel guilty - I feel guilty that I am evening writing this, I feel guilty that if he returns he will have nothing and I feel guilty that he will probably be homeless if his plans in the UAE don’t work out and with the situation over there right now it is seeming to be more likely.

OP posts:
cordeliavorkosigan · 08/05/2026 08:07

Caring for him and solving his problems and making the world a place where he does not have any unpleasant feelings is Not Your Job.

He does not organise his life for your feelings or to optimise your experience, and he certainly does not suffer sex he does not want or suffer daily abuse and control from you.
What he does to you is not love.
Do not feel guilty.
I hope you can find some support in the UK, op. Don't go back to UAE.

zurigo · 08/05/2026 08:10

dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 08:03

This is where I feel guilty - I feel guilty that I am evening writing this, I feel guilty that if he returns he will have nothing and I feel guilty that he will probably be homeless if his plans in the UAE don’t work out and with the situation over there right now it is seeming to be more likely.

This man has been abusing you since you were a teenager. You need to find your anger about that! He's a piece of shit! You are so conditioned by him and the way he has controlled you for years that you're going to need support to get out of that mindset and rediscover your own wants and needs. And I promise you that his living situation is the least of your issues right now. You need to protect yourself and lose this guilt. Do you think HE feels guilty for the way he has abused YOU? Of course he doesn't. He just wants to maintain control over you and for you to do what you're told and service his needs, while ignoring your own. He's a bad guy OP, a really bad guy and he doesn't care about you. Remember he tried to strangle you, every time you feel that guilt creeping in💐

Helpmefindmysoul · 08/05/2026 08:13

Is there a cultural element?

dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 10:43

Helpmefindmysoul · 08/05/2026 08:13

Is there a cultural element?

Hello,

No there isn’t. I know what you mean though.

OP posts:
dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 10:50

zurigo · 08/05/2026 08:10

This man has been abusing you since you were a teenager. You need to find your anger about that! He's a piece of shit! You are so conditioned by him and the way he has controlled you for years that you're going to need support to get out of that mindset and rediscover your own wants and needs. And I promise you that his living situation is the least of your issues right now. You need to protect yourself and lose this guilt. Do you think HE feels guilty for the way he has abused YOU? Of course he doesn't. He just wants to maintain control over you and for you to do what you're told and service his needs, while ignoring your own. He's a bad guy OP, a really bad guy and he doesn't care about you. Remember he tried to strangle you, every time you feel that guilt creeping in💐

You are right,

I have been thinking this for a long time it’s like he has a spell over me is the only way I can really describe it.

I am just waiting on the financial element sorted and I might have 2 job interviews which I am really excited about as we really need to leave my parents home and get the kids back into routine.

I need my own space and so do my children ( currently sharing a bed) with the two little ones and it’s tough.

I would love to be able to have a future and have fun in life. I don’t have fun. I don’t really have a life. I want to be able to do my makeup and hair and wear nice clothes and go out for dinner and drinks with friends ( I don’t really have friends now).

I know people looking from the outside will assume it’s a perfect family but from within this it is certainly not. I know people will be shocked at this.

My dad knows he has a terrible temper just from the way he shouts or has been previously.

Thank you for your advice

OP posts:
zurigo · 08/05/2026 10:52

Can you confide in your parents (siblings?) and tell them about the reality of your marriage? Will they be supportive and help you to get out of this marriage, do you think?

dunky1234 · 08/05/2026 11:00

zurigo · 08/05/2026 10:52

Can you confide in your parents (siblings?) and tell them about the reality of your marriage? Will they be supportive and help you to get out of this marriage, do you think?

Unfortunately I am an only child - always wished I had siblings. My parents probably not as they don’t “like to get involved” and only I can make this decision.

I feel like I am brainwashed by this man. I am putting plans in place today.

OP posts:
zurigo · 08/05/2026 11:18

In that case OP, keep posting here and please reach out to charities that work with women trying to leave abusive relationships:

https://womensaid.org.uk/
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

Also, you might want to consider doing the Freedom Programme: https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/

Home - Women's Aid

Women's Aid is a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated.

https://womensaid.org.uk

NoisyMonster678 · 08/05/2026 11:45

What you have experienced with your husband is coercive control, and I have pasted a link to some websites which should be able to help you.

Link to support Organisations

PunishmentSnart · 08/05/2026 14:00

Is the house in the UK in your name or both names?

Italiangreyhound · 08/05/2026 21:51

Please, please do not feel sorry for this abusive, controlling man. Focus on your one precious life, aa a previous poster said. Focus on your kids.

Get legal advice.

Do not return to UAE.

Italiangreyhound · 08/05/2026 21:55

Are you British? Is he?

Get legal advice please. Tell the solicitor everything so they know the full extent of the problem.

childrenaremyworld · 08/05/2026 22:02

Please don’t go back, he will not let you leave again, if he does he could keep the children there. Stay with your parents and tell them what has been happening. You also need to contact women’s aid and see a solicitor, he sounds mentally unstable. You can do this, please don’t let your children lead an unstable and violent life, it will cause them untold damage and yourself x