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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

P cheating, please could somebody help, I don't know what to do (long, sorry!)

870 replies

dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 07:27

Argh

Background- I was OW briefly. DP told me he and wifey had been separated for 7 years, they had not

We moved in together after 6 months, it became a fiery relationship because he hacked into my emails and read that I had said he was controlling

He banned all friends. He banned relatives. He banned staying 5 mins late at work. Banned certain clothes and shoes. Stopped me progressing in my career.

Began to falsely accuse me of things. Always false. Began to be very violent.

Reverted to old drinking habits. Drinks A LOT.

I got pregnant (one year in) and he got even more violent.

I suspected him of an affair because I found a message on his phone but he denied it then beat me up badly.

I really loved him. He was so good at controlling me, being ver 30 years my senior.

Had DD, he was awful. I told him I was leaving and he said if I left he would lie to social services and say I was a bad mother. I said, but I'm not I'm a great mother, he said 'I have police connections/etc etc they won't believe you'

So I stayed. During that year he nearly killed me with a wine bottle and with other acts of violence. He grabbed DD once when she was crying but I jumped in and fought him off her. He punched me hard in the head and strangled me while I was holding her. When DD was almost 1 she became acutely unwell and was admitted to hospital. She was there for 3 months and then she died.

He was never in the hospital, he was in the pub on his laptop, or somewhere else. He would tell me he was fcking a barmaid, then say he only said it to wind me up, he told me he was fcking a colleague, then said he only said it to wind me up. He would not let me stay in the hospital with DD overnight, because he said if I did he would leave and not pay rent so I'd be homeless (I was on extended maternity leave) and I got scared and thought DD wouldn't be able to be discharged if he did that as we'd have no home to go to. So I stayed.

She died, he turned up briefly to shed a false tear. I got pregnant immediately- I reget this now, but it was a one-off and I was extremely upset.

I went back to work, he became violent again, kicking me in the stomach hard. I bit him (one time) in self defence to get his arms off me as he was holding me down to kick me. The police were called and they let him go because he has 'connections' and he reported my act of defence. The only time I've ever fought back.

Baby was born. Blabla. He's now been made redundant. WE have no s*x life at all because he is so much older and is diabetic so it's pretty useless. But he has always said 'it works fine when I want it to' My grandma died, my best friend died the other week, and DP has destroyed all my other friendships except for a few in Canada.

I have just found a memory stick with his emails on it from work. I looked at it because he indicated he was emailing his wifelet (he wasn't) and he had hidden the stick. I read lots of it, including his sent emails which mentioned a new secret account. I logged in (same password for everything) and he has been having an affair since before DD was born.

WHat do I do?? I am scared. I am in rented accomodation that is more than my full time salary. DC2 is 5mths old. I have no income other than statutory maternity pay. I have no family now really and all my friends gave up 4 years ago. I am 24. I have ruined my career by having babies and being so unprofessional. Hell, I don't even know if I want to be in my career. I want to go back to uni. Or leave the country. Or right now I jjust want to curl up and die, quite frankly.

I honestly do not know how to handle this- he is still married to the ex as well, so I'm not entitled to anything if we split. I have a low income even when working full time. No childcare.

Thanks anyone, he's going to wake up in a minute and I'm going to have to pretend I don't know I really believed him when he said I was his soul mate etc. He said he loved me. I hoped he would change. I am mortified that I have been so stupid and didn't leave when DD was small.

OP posts:
MichaelBublesPillow · 29/06/2010 06:54

Christ on a bike I hope OP has left and never goes back. the talk of settlements and belongings sits oddly with me.

16 years ago I left an abusive partner, walked out with the clothes on my back and my child's belongings in a small case. Moved hundreds of miles away, having begged a boxroom in an old friend's house as a halfway house as I knew nothing of places like women's aid back then.

IT CAN BE DONE. I was your age and petrified but there was a straw that broke me and I am SO glad every day that it did.

savoycabbage · 29/06/2010 07:07

I hope she's OK.

Shirley is right when she says it is hard to leave everything you have behind. Also, when you are in a difficult situation, especially one that other people are not aware of, your home becomes even more important to you. It can become the only place where you are not putting on a front for the rest of the world.

CantThinkofFunnyName · 29/06/2010 07:37

Savoy - you've hit the nail on the head. I think that's exactly the point, the home is the "safe house" where OP can hide from the world.

Marantha - please don't doubt the OP. This is unfortunately genuine, as are her reactions and reasoning. It's a natural process.

Tortoise - no, I'm not in a position to just go and get her, much as I'd like to. I know probably about as much as the rest of you on here in that she is in SE London. I know her first name and her mobile number - but that's it.

We texted around midnight last night when I found out that she was out and safe and then I told her to get sleep, not go back this morning unless she had police protection and to start today as a new day and get back in touch with WA to plan next steps. Whether she does that or not, I don't know. Here's hoping...

mamsnet · 29/06/2010 07:46

I'm sick to the pit of my stomach.

Cant .. Please let us know anything you can.

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 29/06/2010 07:47

I dearly hope that WA are going to pick her up today. It feels like that hotel is way too close to her flat and the temptation to go back in and pick up more stuff is too much.

Dismantle - you can go back in with a olice escort to clear out your stuff. For the time being, just focus on keeping your baby safe. The other stuff is just stuff.

Thanks for the update cantthink - Let us know if there is anything we can do

clam · 29/06/2010 07:47

can't we weren't shouting troll. We were saying we doubted the bloke's word that he was off to Liverpool - as in fact we were right.

CantThinkofFunnyName · 29/06/2010 08:10

Clam - no, I understand you were saying that, absolutely - my thought too. It was more that some are a little strong in their disbelief that she is placing more emphasis on her home and belongings. Yes, it does seem irrelevant but it's all she's had and what she is clinging on to. Let's not forget she had a baby that died from a horrid virus (that was caught from her P) and she is also now that she is hitting rock bottom, grieving about the loss of her daughter too. Those little momentoes are going to be so important to her. And I'm probably right in that whilst she knows she should leave, in her state of mind, she may well think we are all over dramatising the issue. Maybe we are - but then maybe we're not. It's not a chance to take is it. All we can do is give guidance and support and I just hope she takes it.

tortoiseonthehalfshell · 29/06/2010 08:14

Yes, I don't think it helps to deconstruct the OP's way of dealing with this awful situation and imply that she's more interested in money than her child. She's scared, angry, grieving and bewildered, who can blame her for focusing on the few things that do represent security and comfort and a tiny bit of control to her?

Cant, thanks for updating us anyway, I'm glad there's someone out there in Real Life Land for her - even on a limited scale.

Follyfoot · 29/06/2010 08:20

When you are in the state Dismantle is in, its much less scary to think about the 'small' things - the possessions, money etc - than to face up to the awfulness of your situation and do something about it. I bet you'll find that 'I cant leave because....' is a very well used phrase by abused women. When your confidence has been totally destroyed, finding enough courage to leave can be an almost impossible step.

Crossing the road to that hotel was a huge step. Take another one today and leave for good. Dont go back to the house without the police, they will help you, they were brilliant with me.

stressed2007 · 29/06/2010 08:22

Is she no in touch with WA? I may be wrongly getting the impression they don't seem to be doing too much for her at the moment. Do they just tell her to go to hotel?

Don't they come and get you/help you?

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 29/06/2010 08:28

I thought that stressed - they also seemed to say that they could only do things during the daytime. What if you just had to leave at 2am?

Unlikelyamazonian · 29/06/2010 08:38

Please update us, anyone who can, as to how dismantle is. This is so worrying. She has been hugely brave in going. But he could quite easily find out/guess where she is.

How are you OP?? xxxx

tabouleh · 29/06/2010 08:40

Is there any other way that we can try to ensure dismantle and her DS's safety?

Can't has her mobile number and her first name - would there be any point in ther contacting WA for advice and seeing if we can make sure WA call her back ASAP this morning?

Dismantle - well done for going to the hotel last night. Please please read these messages and trust us MNers when we say that IT IS NOT SAFE for you to go back home without police protection. You need to be in touch with women's aid and get yourself and DS into a hostel.

Jux · 29/06/2010 09:19

Oh well done, you brave girl. Have been thinking about you so much but wasn't able to get back on to check out how you were.

Dittany is right - we are all here with you, rooting for you, and will give you all the support we can.

Mouseface · 29/06/2010 09:34

Any more news?

Dismantle - I hope that he did not find you last night. I hope more than anything you are safe.

Can't - have you heard for her this morning?

Sorry to put this on you, as it were, but you are our only way of knowing she is safe until she posts again.

marantha · 29/06/2010 09:46

It's more the settlement from tribunal (which would take several months according to OP) that makes me think: NOT belongings issue.
Sorry, but I couldn't live with a man like that for several months for money.
He is NOT just unfaithful, he is a monster!

LimaCharlie · 29/06/2010 09:48

Well done dismantle on getting out - its a very brave step.

Your partner has lied to you about his whereabouts proving once again that you cannot trust him - if you need stuff from the flat go back only with a police escort.

Please take care of yourself and your baby.

Much love and strength today as you start your new life free from your abusive unfaithful violent partner.

AngryPixie · 29/06/2010 10:12

Read the thread this morning, my children very confused as to why I was crying when they came downstairs and there was no breakfast but a lot of hugs.

I'm thinking of you DTS and your remarkable bravery last night. Hoping with all my heart you are safe & supported this morning.

Cartoose · 29/06/2010 10:24

Thinking of you this morning Dismantle. I hope you and your son are both safe and in the capable hands of WA.

Can't, I don't mean to pester you, but could you give her a quick call this morning to check that she's ok?

cluelessnchaos · 29/06/2010 10:25

Marantha, you have no idea what it is like to be in this situation, it becomes your real life, it doesnt have the shock value that we feel from the outside, when I was with my abusive partner one of the reasons I stayed was because my dad had bought furniture for the flat I was staying in and I though he would be angry if I left it behind, my perception was really screwed, the house is the only haven you have and you pin all your hopes to this person, you just want them to be nice to you, the infidelity hits home harder than anything because the abuser explains away the other behaviours by saying its because they love you too much, the infidelity shows all the weaknesses and lies at once. You also feel immense guilt and shame at what you have condoned and put up with and by taking the step to leave you are admitting to the things you feel worst about when you probably feel at your weakest and least able to deal with it. It is really easy to say what you would and wouldnt put up with, noone would believe that I had put up with the crap I did, and it is really unhelpful. Mnet can be fantastic at helping in situations like these but there is always the risk of us moralising over every issue, what help do you think your remarks are giving, what are you trying to achieve by them, it wouldnt hahve helped me back then, it would have just ladled on the shame a bit thicker.

ladylush · 29/06/2010 10:26

dismantle I hope you make the (right) decision never to return to this man - he seems capable of the very worst - murder. I think I understand the pull to stay in a familiar environment where you have your things around you - maybe that is the only security you feel you have/have ever had? It makes little sense to those who think rationally but your sense of reality is distorted because of the horrific life you've endured/are enduring. Leaving this life behind you is the only chance you and your ds have of happiness........actually maybe even the only chance of LIFE. You've already tragically lost one dc No one should have to suffer such a loss. But now you have a real chance to save two precious lives - yes, yours is precious too. Start believing it. Stop fooling yourself that p will become reasonable/stop being violent. He won't. In your shoes, I'd be wanting to prohibit him having any contact with your dc (too dangerous/toxic). But that is something to put in motion when you and your ds are safe and far away from him. If not no access, at the very least supervised only. But I am very wary of the latter - have heard of lots of horrific stories where the security has been overridden. If you need to get things from the flat (things of your dds) do not go without a police escort. You've had some excellent support and advice on this thread - I really hope you take it. I hope you and ds are safe.

Follyfoot · 29/06/2010 10:28

Amen to all of that cluelessnchaos.

mamsnet · 29/06/2010 10:30

Wow.. Clueless .. really it is the rest of us that are clueless..

That's the most insightful post I have read in a long time.

Rindercella · 29/06/2010 10:32

Dismantle, thinking of you and your little boy. Keep safe x

DeFluffy · 29/06/2010 10:32

Dismantle - I'm not great with emotions but I am very practical. I have mounds, and I mean mounds, of baby stuff here, vests, outfits, bibs, bottles, toys, you can have anything you need. So hopefully that will be one less thing for you to worry about.

Sending you hugs and will be thinking of you all day.

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