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Partner kept a kink secret and now I feel misled

258 replies

Salmiacchew · 15/08/2026 19:28

I’m in a relatively new relationship (less than a year). Things have been great and he’s been an amazing partner so I can’t complain (until now).

I found out now that he has a secret kink or affinity that he never even mentioned. It only came out when someone else alluded to it in my presence and I asked about it. He seemed embarrassed and said that he didn’t know how and when mention it yet. I let it go at the time but I’ve been thinking about it and getting quite angry.

The things that bother me is that he didn’t tell me about it and it hurts me, because it is clear that previous partners knew about it. It also makes me wonder if I even know him at all or what else he might be hiding, and I’m so mad at the thought that I might have wasted almost a year on someone who kept secrets.

And yes, I will be launching a Clare’s Law request just in case. I’m also considering contacting the person who flippantly made the remark/ joke in the first place to see if it aligns with what he told me. But I’m just mad right now. Things were going too well and I was wondering where the catch was.

OP posts:
hcee19 · 16/08/2026 10:27

If anyone gives you any doubts , it shouldn't take a call to the police about it. If you do contact the police regarding Claire's Law, they will not give you the information there and then. They will want all your details and his. It will be passed to the relevant department , who will then decide whether or not you need to be given any information about him. There will only be information about him if he has been convicted of domestic violence , sexual assault etc. If you are given any feedback , you cannot tell anyone or you, will then find yourself in trouble. This could take weeks. I think whatever it is, surely if it is something that you need more information on, why the hell are you still with him? From what you say, l do not know really what the issue is, perhaps kinky sex? which isn't illegal. If you don't like something doesn't mean because he does, it is wrong. Think about your actions, as if it is a trivial matter , you will be told you are wasting police time...

BunnyLake · 16/08/2026 10:29

hcee19 · 16/08/2026 10:27

If anyone gives you any doubts , it shouldn't take a call to the police about it. If you do contact the police regarding Claire's Law, they will not give you the information there and then. They will want all your details and his. It will be passed to the relevant department , who will then decide whether or not you need to be given any information about him. There will only be information about him if he has been convicted of domestic violence , sexual assault etc. If you are given any feedback , you cannot tell anyone or you, will then find yourself in trouble. This could take weeks. I think whatever it is, surely if it is something that you need more information on, why the hell are you still with him? From what you say, l do not know really what the issue is, perhaps kinky sex? which isn't illegal. If you don't like something doesn't mean because he does, it is wrong. Think about your actions, as if it is a trivial matter , you will be told you are wasting police time...

You don’t know what the issue is? He enjoys and gets off on other people’s pain and degradation. I think that’s enough information to know he’s a bad ‘un.

hcee19 · 16/08/2026 10:33

BunnyLake · 16/08/2026 10:29

You don’t know what the issue is? He enjoys and gets off on other people’s pain and degradation. I think that’s enough information to know he’s a bad ‘un.

If all are consenting adults it isn't a crime.

Whosthetabbynow · 16/08/2026 10:34

Goditsmemargaret · 16/08/2026 09:07

I can't believe his ex wife brought it up in the company of you and her partner. That's a power move if ever I saw one; I know him better than you, our intimate past is ever present.

I really wouldn't be that keen on continuing this current setup. Do they have children together?

As for the 'kink' - maybe he's not into it anymore. I used to love being spanked. If DH tried it I'd probably phone the police.

Agree and why out drinking with her and the new partner?? Sounds like OP is going to be a lamb to the slaughter… Run

Sassylovesbooks · 16/08/2026 10:36

You need a proper conversation with your partner. He now needs to be 100% honest. The ex-wife mentioning his 'kink', that could be taken as she was giving you 'heads up' warning. May be she didn't know about this side of him from the start of their relationship. Or she could have assumed you already knew. You won't know what her motivation is, and unless you openly ask her, it's best not to dwell on it.

Yes, I would request a Clare's Law. BDSM may have it's place if it's respectful, honest, has trust and consensual. Unfortunately, there are men out there who use the disguise of BDSM to abuse women.... there's no respect or consent involved, it's just an excuse to hurt someone.

If it's something that you aren't interested in exploring, then it's far better to end the relationship. Some people need to include their kink within sex, to get any enjoyment out of sex. Others don't necessarily need it, to enjoy sex. Someone who needs their kink to enjoy sex, will seek someone else outside the relationship to fulfill that need. At this point, you don't know which category he falls into.

LeebLeefuhLurve · 16/08/2026 10:37

"She consented" is the same defence invoked by alleged rapists, those who killed their partners by strangulation and those who support industries such as prostitution, porn, organ trafficking, surrogacy. I mean...

Someone with genuine concerns about a partner's history is highly unlikely to be charged with wasting police time 🙄

caringcarer · 16/08/2026 10:39

What is the kink?

Maisymouse2 · 16/08/2026 10:48

Why not say fully what it is.
Basicslly you are concerned so whats the chocie..run or join the kink club

MySaintedAunt · 16/08/2026 10:52

Iamnotalemming · 16/08/2026 09:30

I don't think I could enjoy being intimate with a man who might be fantasising about me being hurt and getting off on it. It would be a deal breaker for me. Let alone the risk he might be tempted to act on those thoughts. Sorry OP.

This. I mean it takes all sorts etc but he lied by omission about it for a year. You're now very much involved with him so possibly more vulnerable to being coerced by him into something you're not comfortable with.
Nope. Run for the hills OP.

Waitingfordoggo · 16/08/2026 10:55

caringcarer · 16/08/2026 10:39

What is the kink?

Sadism. It’s in the OP’s posts.

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 16/08/2026 10:57

If he was married to his ex for years and they have remained friends it sounds as if it was entirely consensual - and whether you understand it or not such kinks do exist without either party being a violent psychopath in RL. And the degree of sadism / masochism is within the control of the 'sub' and no more than they control.

A Claire's Law request is disproportionate. Wildly so.

If you have been having sex with him for nearly a year and he hasn't broached this it seems not to be central to his sexual relationships but rather an added extra with a partner who is that way inclined.

I can see why it was embarrassing and upsetting for his ex to reveal this in public - you later mention that she was drunk. So just a drunken faux pas on her part.

FuschiaMyArse · 16/08/2026 10:57

Run a mile. He gets sexually excited when hurting women?
He has issues and hates women. This is about power and control. Run.

Claregalway · 16/08/2026 10:58

I wonder if the ex wife is a FWB situation now

LarkspurBlues · 16/08/2026 11:03

The tone of the relationship with the ex is what would bother me the most. I bet he still sees her like that, or she him.

Thisismyfinesthour · 16/08/2026 11:08

I'd dump the pervert if he like witnessing pain but won't take it himself.

Mumlaplomb · 16/08/2026 11:08

If it were me OP I would take the ex wife’s disclosure as a warning and end the relationship. It sounds like he’s into more than just some minor bdsm spanking here.

Crinkle77 · 16/08/2026 11:25

PinkyFlamingo · 16/08/2026 10:19

He gets off on witnessing other people’s pain or degradation, not being hurt himself. This is not “just” violent porn but also other things

Toe that's not just a "kink" I think that downplays what you've just said. To actually want to see other people hurt or degraded is psychopathic and cruel. Sexually or non sexually it doesn't matter, it is a deeply disturbing part of their personality. And it doesn't disappear so what he had been doing to get gratification in the year he had been with you I would question. Has there been any hints e.g. has he been testing the waters with you about hurting you in small ways?

Yep agree. It makes me wonder if he'd enjoy seeing you in pain or upset outside of the bedroom.

MarthaLovesLaughing · 16/08/2026 11:28

Thisismyfinesthour · 16/08/2026 11:08

I'd dump the pervert if he like witnessing pain but won't take it himself.

This

Salmiacchew · 16/08/2026 11:32

@Dandelionroots Oh my god I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. I really hope that you are ok and that you could move past this horrible man and how he treated you.

OP posts:
L0V315 · 16/08/2026 11:37

So basically he likes to watch women being tortured

L0V315 · 16/08/2026 11:39

And he likes to torture women

JacknDiane · 16/08/2026 11:44

Hes a weirdo @Salmiacchew.

How low is your self esteem you are even asking others opinions?

Listen to your own. This man is a full on creep. Get away from him FFS

ThatCyanCat · 16/08/2026 11:47

I will speak to him later because and I want to understand how this would impact us in the long run. I really want to be with him but I don’t want to build a relationship with someone who might be missing out and who will then get it somewhere else.

OP, you mentioned "violent porn" so I'm assuming this is something worse than a bit of light spanking or run of the mill BDSM. In fact you say it wasn't "just" violent porn and whatever it is is so extreme you want to run a check that he's not on a register.

I don't think you have your priorities in order here. The issue is far worse than you feeling misled or worrying about him cheating, and I don't understand how you can want to be with him when you're so worried about safety that you want to run an official domestic violence disclosure check. Or what you think a chat with him about it will accomplish. He will say what you want to hear, it might or might not be true, it isn't going to change anything.

I know it's really hard to take your heart back but whatever this is is so bad you want a domestic violence check on it. I don't mean to be glib, but achey breaky heart just can't cut it when it's that serious!

Dandelionsand4leafclover · 16/08/2026 12:04

Anybody who gets sexually aroused by abusing and torturing women is dangerous. Walk away OP. There are much kinder men in the world.

Pinkissmart · 16/08/2026 12:16

He gets off on other people’s pain and degradation?

Fuck no. That is bottom feeder behaviour.
I’m Actually getting quite angry about this .
Those type of men are the ones that fuel the global r*pe academy. The ones who fuel some of the worst aspects of human trafficking. They are the audience for which snuff films are made.
This is a horrible, disgusting man.
Wake up OP. He’s harming others by creating the market for some of the most abhorrent things out there. Don’t hide behind ‘ he hasn’t done it to me’, and feeling wounded that he didn’t share what a sick individual he is.