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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

inappropriate behaviour by an uncle

68 replies

foxglove23 · 12/09/2014 23:46

My daughter who was 16 (in July) has been sent, in the post, a vibrator by my brother in law. This was not done in an open way and he thinks I do not know. I have not spoken to my sister but this is not the only example of what I consider inappropriate behaviour. I do not live with my daughter's Dad but he is fuming. To compound things I am due to go on hols with my sister and brother-in-law for a week in a couple of months. My daughter has told my brother in law that the vibrator was inappropriate and he apologised but also said that if accused he would blame it on one of my daughter's friends. (Not sure if he said this in a humorous way or not although it's not funny.) It is all so weird and I do not know what to do. I feel as though I need to tell both sister and brother-in-law but my daughter says do nothing. My daughter says that she does not feel threatened physically even though she believes it has damaged her relationship with her uncle she does not want to ruin the holiday. He certainly has shown no respect for my daughter nor indeed for the related family. I am preparing to say something as my daughter has been upset and arguably manipulated. Any comments

OP posts:
MirandaGoshawk · 15/09/2014 17:46

Nothing to add except to reinforce that it is odd he has asked her to keep quiet. Yes, victims are often told that they won't be believed, our little secret, etc.

ihatethecold · 15/09/2014 17:55

Have you managed to speak to your sister yet op?

daddydaddycool · 15/09/2014 22:04

Being an uncle myself, I felt awkward enough buying my own niece 'Bravissimo' vouchers for her mid/late twenties birthday at her own request, so reading this post struck a (thankfully dissimilar yet unnerving) chord...

First off, at face value this event is notably abnormal and needs addressing one way or another. Without the faintest trace of doubt. Not just because of the singular event in question but because, by your own admission, this isn't just a one-off 'crazy jape'; your brother-in-law has acted inappropriately in the past. Whatever lies behind your statement, this is REALLY fucking important! At the very least, please do not lose sight of this.

A couple of initial questions (for your own mind at least, I'm not asking you to answer them openly):

  • Any idea what caused him to send this totally unwelcome gift to your DD in the first place? Have you asked your DD what sort of previous dialogue they have had in order to arrive at this point?

I expect many will say it's entirely irrelevant. He was 'grooming her' etc, - and myabe he was. In no way does it justify the ultimate act but understanding a bit more about her take on matters (you haven't provided any prior insight; not that you should...) might inform your approach to dealing with it by putting the whole thing in a bit of context; without which you're just left flailing in a vacuum of assumptions. Of course your daughter isn't answerable to influences that took place whilst she was a 'minor' in the legal sense but, by the same token, and if phrased subtly, she might be open to shedding some light on their previous interactions in general terms.

  • You also mention that DD's dad is 'fuming', but nothing else more on that front. Given that his own brother has created the issue, has he had any insightful input other than 'fuming'? You'll obviously be the judge of whether this line is worthwhile pursuing but if he has any sense of responsibility he needs to bear it - but again (and at a completely uneducated guess) it may not be worth pursuing.

By which process all this should be handled remains a big question. The stakes are high for everyone so the facts need to be established as best they can be under the circumstances.

In summary, you seem totally alone in bearing the responsibility for a situation that cannot remain as it is, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for all in the short term. For what it's worth (and I'm no expert) I would suggest that both you and your daughter ABSOLUTELY avoid engaging directly with brother-in-law on the matter until you're in a clearer position. Purely at face value, and ONLY if you're comfortable with it and think it might be of benefit in establishing a broader evidence base, perhaps you might dig a little deeper (sensitively no doubt) with DD to establish where this all stems from.

A lot of words but not much help I'd wager. Other than that, I couldn't possibly comment (I'm not joking either - others clearly have..)

Best Wishes

daddydaddycool · 15/09/2014 23:19

Apologies, I got my familial links totally mixed up when I said:

"You also mention that DD's dad is 'fuming', but nothing else more on that front. Given that his own brother has created the issue, has he had any insightful input other than 'fuming'?"

It clearly wasn't his own brother that created the issue...but the question still stands, albeit in a less biologically meaningful sense...

bargainbuyss · 26/09/2014 00:43

Have you a proof that the he sent the vibrator? Be 100% sure before you start any confrontation or reporting.

liveoutloud · 27/09/2014 02:59

Forget sister, report this guy to the authorities. He is a pedophile and you should keep your child away from him.

differentnameforthis · 27/09/2014 05:17

I have only ever known men to buy vibrators for someone they would like to use it with/on/for etc.

Has she said if he mentioned anything when he sent it? A letter/note/text/email to 'justify' it? (please note, there is NO justifying this, I am not implying there is, just that he must have a (sick) reason & wonder if he has shared that with her)

The fact that he has an excuse for if she 'tells' on him is very suspicious too. He has thought it all out VERY carefully.

DontDrinkAndFacebook · 27/09/2014 05:41

I think we need more details. Why did he do this? What is his relationship like with your daughter?

That's exactly what I was thinking. there must be more to this - how did you find out, did you DD tell you, and has there been any lead up to it?

Either way, assuming it's all true, you ABSOLUTELY need to:

Tell him you know and tell him to back right off

Tell your sister. It will be very hard, but she needs to know the truth. This not something you can easily sweep under the carpet without it looking like you or DD are being unreasonable and aloof, or shunning them for no reason. The longer oyu leave it the harder it will be to explain. He is already frantically back-pedalling and thinking of ways to limit the damage if you tell her, so don't underestimate the lengths he might go to to get himself off the hook, which will probably involve lying and creating diversions to throw doubt onto you and your DD. It's better your sister knows about this sooner rather than later, when it's easier to prove and the facts are clear in everyone's minds.

Cancel the holiday. There is no way you can subject your DD to being with this man for a solid week. It's very unfair to put her in such an uncomfortable and possibly risky situation.

Depending on how you feel about his motives consider calling the police.

Make sure your DD understands that any resulting fall out or awkwardness between you and your DSis and BIL is absolutely not her fault.

How old is the uncle? Is there much of an age gap between them? If the age gap is quite small and they are 'matey' together and more like friends than uncle and niece then it's just possible that he may (stupidly) have seen this as a harmless prank, however crass, ill-judged and inappropriate.

But my money is on something rather more sinister I'm afraid.

s88 · 27/09/2014 07:14

As I read the first like I was shocked that I actually said what the fuck out loud ! Blush

keep your dd away from this man and I would tell all family members why !

Cherriesandapples · 27/09/2014 07:20

Cancel the holiday, cut contact, call the police for advice.

violetlights · 27/09/2014 07:58

I don't get your reaction here OP - you seem to be totally downplaying what has happened to your daughter. You are "preparing to say something" as your dd has been "upset and arguably manipulated"??!! FFS - her uncle secretly sent her a vibrator, threatened to blame others and you are considering going on holiday with him??

You should have ALREADY informed the police, your sister, (plus the rest of the family), and confronted your bil. You should have nothing more to do with him. Congratulate your daughter for being brave and sharing the info with you. You need now to act like her mother and protect her.

IceRocket · 27/09/2014 08:12

Don't think I'd be able to control my anger, you're all very sensible.

ChippingInLatteLover · 27/09/2014 08:20

I have asked MNHQ to have a look and see if this is a genuine name changer or just a first time poster. Bit odd to post this at almost midnight and not to come back to it. Not to mention 'Any comments'.

McBear · 27/09/2014 08:34

I agree, it is very strange not to come back in such a long time! An awful situation if it is true tho!

hmc · 27/09/2014 08:40

Well done chipping.

Odd indeed

KatieKaye · 27/09/2014 08:45

There could be many reasons why OP has not returned.
IMO it does not matter why this adult sent a 16 year old a vibrator, the fact is that he did and that it is totally out of order. It is creepy and inappropriate and suggests he thinks of his DN in a sexual way. Keep her away from him. Tell your DSis. She has a right to know this about her DHs behaviour, especially as you say there have been other instances of what you consider to be inappropriate behaviour. And then cancel the holiday. I don't think I could stand to be in the same room as this man, far less expose my DD to him. Best case scenario would be DSis, you and DD going without him - would that be an option?
He sounds very peculiar and trying to shift the blame for his actions to one of DDs friends is awful. Red flags galore here. Your first priority has to be DD and any consequences are as a direct result of his behaviour.

chucklingbunny · 27/09/2014 08:47

Cancel the holiday and take your daughter somewhere else to make up for it if you can.
Tell your sister right away, never let your daughter see this man again and tell your sister exactly why - especially if this is not the only instance of inappropriate behaviour. If your sister in any way has a problem with your decision - she doesn't see your daughter again either.
Your daughter's age is not the issue here, complete lack of respect is and this is a totally inappropriate thing to have done outside of a loving, consensual sexual relationship.
I would be Angry Angry and would make sure the family knew exactly what he had done! How embarrassed and confused your daughter must be!

DontDrinkAndFacebook · 27/09/2014 11:06

I agree it's odd not to come back to a thread like this. I thought exactly the same thing.

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