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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

(TW SA) New support thread …

214 replies

PinkPoetAgain1 · 15/05/2026 13:18

Another thread full, still learning that things are not normal as I thought they were .

www.mumsnet.com/talk/relationships/5522581-tw-sa-new-therapist-new-thread

thank you everyone for being so patient and supportive ❤️

OP posts:
DoesthislookgoodOnMe · 18/05/2026 13:48

How does your therapist stance make you feel about your husband?
She actually sounds like a diamond. Sounds like she’s listening to what you say and is really processing it in light of your situation.

shoppingred54 · 18/05/2026 14:21

I saw online that TSB have a domestic abuse policy, so if that’s not a bank you use as a family perhaps that’s one you could try to open an account with (with help from WA).

TSB appear quite sophisticated with their policy. Access to a safety app, a £500 flee fund etc. They also highlight an app called Bright Sky.
https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/supporting-you-domestic-or-financial-abuse.html

I don’t want to keep overwhelming you by bombarding you with info, Poet. I hope this is helpful.

WA will be able to help you with all this financial stuff.

Supporting you if you're experiencing domestic or financial abuse

Financial abuse can happen to anyone. It’s when someone has manipulation over another person’s finances, through control, coercion, or even fraud. Abuse might be carried out by a partner, family member, friend, carer or a registered third party or powe...

https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/supporting-you-domestic-or-financial-abuse.html

NettleTea · 18/05/2026 18:01

YourOliveBalonz · 18/05/2026 12:07

Well done Pink, and yes apart from demonstrating what you already know (that he wants to fully control finances) there’s no point in pushing that now. Especially with his escalation.

By ‘went for it’ it sounds like she was able to label things, I hope that was more validating for you than frightening.

Did you manage to check the Child Benefit thing? I’m not wanting you to do anything unsafe but I think with advice it is worth looking into. Even if the money is not claimed, which you can opt out of due to the tax implications. As you don’t actually have access to the family finances I have a concern that he does in fact claim this, or has himself registered as the claimant (or could do so) just to block you from it.

this was my fear too.
It would be in the handbook of how to stop women leaving.

NettleTea · 18/05/2026 18:06

shoppingred54 · 18/05/2026 14:21

I saw online that TSB have a domestic abuse policy, so if that’s not a bank you use as a family perhaps that’s one you could try to open an account with (with help from WA).

TSB appear quite sophisticated with their policy. Access to a safety app, a £500 flee fund etc. They also highlight an app called Bright Sky.
https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/supporting-you-domestic-or-financial-abuse.html

I don’t want to keep overwhelming you by bombarding you with info, Poet. I hope this is helpful.

WA will be able to help you with all this financial stuff.

wow, this is an incredible resource

RS1987 · 18/05/2026 19:20

shoppingred54 · 18/05/2026 14:21

I saw online that TSB have a domestic abuse policy, so if that’s not a bank you use as a family perhaps that’s one you could try to open an account with (with help from WA).

TSB appear quite sophisticated with their policy. Access to a safety app, a £500 flee fund etc. They also highlight an app called Bright Sky.
https://www.tsb.co.uk/help-and-support/supporting-you-domestic-or-financial-abuse.html

I don’t want to keep overwhelming you by bombarding you with info, Poet. I hope this is helpful.

WA will be able to help you with all this financial stuff.

This is amazing - well done to TSB!

RS1987 · 18/05/2026 19:20

And well done Poet, you have been so so brave today.

sunshinetimes · 18/05/2026 20:41

How are you doing tonight @PinkPoetAgain1? Hope you're okay.

LizzieW1969 · 18/05/2026 20:56

PinkPoetAgain1 · 18/05/2026 11:42

Yes I did
it was so hard to say out loud

I just want to say well done, Deep Poet, I know how hard that must have been for you. ❤️

DropOfffArtiste · 18/05/2026 22:00

Not sure if this has already been shared but Emma Barnett podcast on coercive control and financial abuse

BBC Sounds - Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett, My Ex-Husband Controlled My Life with Ruth Dodsworth https://share.google/fox7ykgRfVI6ytVO0

PinkPoetAgain1 · 18/05/2026 22:00

Thank you all
i had a phone call from the rape crisis team who I’m on the waitlist for a specialist SA counsellor. I was hopeful this would be really good for me to process trauma and might do the special therapy people have mentioned for trauma victims. She was just checking in and says they will keep me on the wait list for another few months, however she did say they usually don’t recommend that sort of counselling for people who are trying to heal from abuse when they are stilll in the relationship. Apparently it doesn’t work so well in that case. She has said they can still help me with the assault from years ago though so I’ve remained on the list.

So that’s a bit disappointing
I tried to call WA local but no reply today

OP posts:
Babyboomtastic · 18/05/2026 22:29

Well done on speaking to the rape crisis team again.

It's sadly understandable that they done recommend counselling for people who are trying to heal from abuse when they are stilll in the relationship.

It would be like seeing a doctor for a scar that keeps being unpicked. You can't heal from trauma that is being continually inflicted. He is re-traumatising you every day.

I'm glad they have kept you on the list and can of some assistance though. Well done. It sounds like a tough day x

ProudWomanXX · 18/05/2026 23:09

Do you actually want to heal from this abuse @PinkPoetAgain1 ?

If so, have you though about why?

Given he's still doing it, on a daily basis?

So how can you possibly heal from it, if it's ongoing?

scoobysnaxx · 18/05/2026 23:29

@PinkPoetAgain1yes OP she’s absolutely right. As I said before, you cannot possible heal and do trauma work whilst still living in a traumatic and abusive environment, even if it doesn’t feel like that to you at the moment. It is. It’s impossible and unethical.

they may be able to treat your initial sexual assault but even that is precarious because it will hugely linked with your current trauma and will inevitably come up.

there are many types of therapies that are suitable for different problems at different times. Counselling to explore and reflect on what is happening is helpful for you now. And as ever I’d strongly recommend continuing to engage with domestic violence programs and continue your wider reading and podcasts etc.

specific psychotherapies for trauma such as CBT and EMDR are much more intricate and specifically designed to process traumatic memories to reduce present anxiety.

you cannot do that work while in a traumatic environment. Your body and mind are in fight or flight mode as the trauma continues.

this type of work will come later OP.

it really is a step by step process, which is why I said to reduce the focus and pressure of ‘leaving’ for now. Engage with your counsellor, here and with WA, and just focus on learning, reflecting and increasing your understanding of what the hell is going on and what was happened in the last. Your increasing awareness and understanding will naturally push you in the direction of leaving and when that happens, it just won’t feel as impossible as it does now.

fuchsteufelswild · Yesterday 06:38

I understand why the response would be somewhat disappointing because it seems counterintuitive to "withhold" help from you when it was hard to even get to that point to seek it. On that note you're really doing great, not least because you're doing this for yourself. Your remaining in the relationship is not a failure of any kind, it's not a sign of any shortcoming at all, you're still on the waitlist after all, they feel they can still help.

It's a good thing she was honest though - I think she was giving you the heads-up their specialized support might be a source of frustration rather than strength for someone who remains in a relationship. Perhaps you'd feel pressured into leaving and justifying your staying? It would not be acceptable for the counsellor to make coping with ongoing abuse easier to bear. It's a very delicate position to work with.

As many have pointed out, helping rape victims is a balancing act. Women who have yet to leave are in a different frame of mind because of the multitasking the relationship saddles them with. They need to actively cope. That means managing the abuse, minimizing the "damage" of the act as well as managing the buildup, surviving it emotionally as well as managing the abuser's emotions. It's like

That's what makes really makes it so traumatic yet hard to get out of - "enduring" it isn't enough to survive, there's actual managing of the partner involved. That's what you've been doing - not because there's anything wrong with you but because you're looking for ways to make sense of what is happening to you - active coping.

That's why women who remain are more likely to hold themselves rather than their partners responsible (like you briefly did when you mentioned the maternity nightgown). There's a need to attach meaning to the partner's acts, for example, "uncontrollable desire" or "love".

For the counselling to be at its most effective, there is no alternative to physically and emotionally distancing yourself from the offending partner who very often simply feels entitled to his wife's body anytime. It's a tall order to even dissect the strategies you've adopted, even more so to leave them behind.

You're already taking huge strides for her to feel like she can be upfront with you about ongoing abuse. All this means is that there is no one size fits all approach and those who can help you appreciate that you're in charge. It's all progress.

DropOfffArtiste · Yesterday 08:01

Lots of progress yesterday, even if it doesn't feel like it, well done.

Your therapist actually thinks it is too dangerous for you to ask for equal access to the finances. Something which is entirely normal and completely standard within a partnership or marriage.

Too dangerous.

There is too much of a risk that your husband will injure you further if you ask. Just wanted to make that point.

throwawayimplantchat · Yesterday 10:00

PinkPoetAgain1 · 18/05/2026 22:00

Thank you all
i had a phone call from the rape crisis team who I’m on the waitlist for a specialist SA counsellor. I was hopeful this would be really good for me to process trauma and might do the special therapy people have mentioned for trauma victims. She was just checking in and says they will keep me on the wait list for another few months, however she did say they usually don’t recommend that sort of counselling for people who are trying to heal from abuse when they are stilll in the relationship. Apparently it doesn’t work so well in that case. She has said they can still help me with the assault from years ago though so I’ve remained on the list.

So that’s a bit disappointing
I tried to call WA local but no reply today

Sorry you’re disappointed Poet, well done for speaking to them.

From their side you have to try and remember it would be like them giving someone physiotherapy for a broken leg when between appointments their leg will be broken over and over again.

Hopefully as your eyes open more and your anger grows (I can feel this starting when I read your posts and think it will develop each time he does something that makes your kids sad too) there will be scope for you getting away.

You’ve come a long way already.

x

FiloPasty · Yesterday 13:48

Do you think it would be helpful to have twice weekly therapy Poet? Could you ask your parents? My mum loves giving me pocket money now she’s retired. It might be a little way of divulging a small amount to her?

I hope your day is ok and the sun shining where you are x

WallaceinAnderland · Yesterday 14:09

the therapist went for it today - she called out his behaviour and said there are a few things which concern her

What were the specific things that concerned her?

RS1987 · Yesterday 17:33

What are/were you hoping to get out of the counselling?

FiloPasty · Today 08:54

Are you ok @PinkPoetAgain1? lots to process from Mondays therapy, are you sharing with your one friend in RL, I think you said she’s not close to you geographically x

sunshinetimes · Today 09:56

Hope you're okay @PinkPoetAgain1, thinking of you x

bigboykitty · Today 10:32

Thinking of you PP. You don't have to answer any questions. We're here for you xx

PinkPoetAgain1 · Today 11:12

Thank you x
All ok here. He has laid off completely.
I had a night terror last night and he saw what I’m really dealing with. I didn’t remember it all but he said he cuddled me until I woke up . He looked shocked and sad when I did wake up. There are parts of a good person in him . He’s not a monster

The therapist was particularly worried about all the different signs of abuse and the cycle.
i ask her if she thought i should ask him again about the money and she recommended I didn’t.

My brain still goes to ‘I must have explained it wrong - it’s not that bad’
Maybe it is maybe it isn’t I guess it doesn’t matter. The signs are there I accept that now

I just don’t know what I want to do about it. He says he wants to ‘start again’ and it’s so tempting to just say yes rather than going over and over the thought of staying or leaving

OP posts:
BuckChuckets · Today 11:19

It might seem like the easy option, but please, please (as the child of an abusive relationship) keep thinking about your children.

faial · Today 11:20

But, gently, there is no "starting again" with a serial rapist and his words are likely just manipulation anyway to get sex. What does he say "starting again" would consist of? How would it look? I bet he didn't say.

Do you think you really did have a night terror or is he just telling you that you did so he can pretend to do "caring husband"?

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