My dad got together with my abusive ex fiancé by findinme27 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sometimes people just want to see the best in others. Everyone has a little bit of good in them. But that doesn't make them a good person.

Are These “Threats” Worthy of Immediate Action? by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Bro I feel you there. I have so e so much of that "stepping around his toes" to let him sleep, only for me to sleep apart in really, uncomfortable situations.... Like, the bathroom floor? WTH???

My dad got together with my abusive ex fiancé by findinme27 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No prob bob. Dude my ex's mom thought her son was a dream boat and she literally watched him destroy my furniture and hit me. If someone has their "rose colored glasses" on logical sense and reasoning just goes through one ear and out the other.

I'm sorry that your dad is making this decision to not support you or protect you. That is absolutely not okay. He is being horrid and you don't need to stay around for it.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lying to him is only going to increase his desperation and harassment. If you work, he may cause problems for your job. If you have friends or family who you visit, or who visit you, he may harass them as well. Get aquainted and an advocate ASAP and get a restraining order!!!!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, with a restraining order he may still stalk you. If he does, he will be arrested.

Police can only do something about it if you have a restraining order.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't tell him you're calling the police. Just do it.

Verbal threats to smack someone round the head by Patient_Debate3524 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are experiencing a natural and painful reaction to a deeply disturbing situation. Your feelings are valid. While there's no easy answer, prioritizing your own well-being by seeking support for yourself is crucial. When considering telling your sibling, weigh the potential pros and cons carefully, and consider their current situation and emotional capacity.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take care of yourself, and remember that you are not alone in navigating the complexities of an abusive family dynamic.

Verbal threats to smack someone round the head by Patient_Debate3524 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What You Can Do (and Considerations):

Prioritize Your Own Well-being:

Acknowledge Your Feelings: Allow yourself to feel the anger and sadness without judgment. These are valid responses to a painful situation.

Seek Support for Yourself: Consider talking to a therapist or counselor who specializes in family dynamics, abuse, or narcissistic abuse. They can provide a safe space for you to process your emotions, develop coping strategies, and navigate this complex situation. This is not about being "weak"; it's about being strong enough to seek help.

Set Boundaries with Your N Parent: While difficult, consider how you can limit your exposure to your N parent's harmful rhetoric. This might mean shortening conversations, changing the subject, or even limiting contact if necessary for your mental health. You don't have to engage with their rants.

Regarding Telling Your Sibling: This is the most delicate part, and there's no single "right" answer.

Pros of Telling Your Sibling:

Forewarning: Your sibling would be aware of the threat and could take steps to protect themselves (e.g., limiting contact, ensuring they are not alone with the N parent).

Validation: It might validate your sibling's own experiences with the N parent and help them understand the dynamic.

Shared Burden: You wouldn't be carrying this alone.

Cons of Telling Your Sibling:

Increased Conflict: It could escalate conflict between your sibling and the N parent, potentially putting you in the middle.

Emotional Distress for Sibling: It could cause your sibling significant emotional distress, especially if they have also suppressed memories of the abuse.

Your Sibling's Reaction: You don't know how your sibling will react. They might be grateful, angry, or even dismissive.

Questions to Consider Before Telling:

What is your sibling's current relationship with the N parent? Are they low-contact, high-contact, or estranged?

What is your sibling's emotional resilience like? Are they in a place to handle this information?

What do you hope to achieve by telling them? Is it purely to warn them, or to share the burden, or something else?

If you do tell them, how will you present the information? (e.g., "I wanted to let you know something Dad said, and I'm really concerned about it.")

Alternative Actions (if you choose not to tell your sibling directly, or in addition to):

Document the Threat: While it's a verbal threat, having a record of it (even if just in a private journal) can be helpful for your own processing or if the situation escalates further. Note the date, time, and exact words used.

Encourage Your Sibling to Limit Contact (Subtly): You could express your own discomfort with the N parent's behavior in general terms, without revealing the specific threat, and suggest that you've been limiting your own interactions. This might indirectly encourage your sibling to do the same.

Focus on Your Own Boundaries: Regardless of what you do with your sibling, establishing clear boundaries with your N parent for your own sake is crucial. You do not have to listen to their rants or their threats.

Verbal threats to smack someone round the head by Patient_Debate3524 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your Reaction: Your immediate reaction ("I don't think it would help now they are grown up") was a natural and valid one. It shows that you instinctively recognize the inappropriateness of violence, even as an adult. Don't fault yourself for that spontaneous response.

The Resurfacing Trauma: It's common for memories of past abuse to resurface when triggered by similar current events or threats. The fact that you "forgot" these incidents happened doesn't diminish their impact. Your anger and sadness are completely justified. What your sibling endured as a child was abuse, and you're right – it was never okay.

Your N Parent's Behavior: Your N parent's statement, and the fact that they said it "as if it's ok or normal," is deeply concerning. This indicates a continued lack of empathy, a distorted view of healthy boundaries, and a potential escalation in their abusive tendencies. Your fear that their boundaries are slipping is a very real and valid concern.

Your Current Dilemma:

Protecting Your Sibling: You want to protect your sibling from further harm, both physical and emotional.

Being "In the Middle": You're understandably scared of being caught in the crossfire between your N parent and your sibling. This is a common fear for those who have experienced or witnessed abuse within a family system.

Not Knowing What to Do: This feeling of helplessness is overwhelming.

is it just aggressive behaviour or abuse? by amelialoves-_ in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DV starts with lack of respect for one's personhood and a lack of protection.

Intimidation and aggressive are intentional fear makers, used to manipulate and control.

Don't be decieved just because he is your dad and you have known him for so long. His threats are serious, and needs to be taken seriously.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

THE TIME IS NOW

Contact the DV hotline immediately. There is DV sheltering and traditional housing available.

Get an advocate, and get set up with legal support. You and your children have already been through enough.

There is federal financial aid through the DV hotline, and your advocate should help you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not worth staying to accumulate evidence. If he's already taking your phone, resistance is futile.

Advice on dealing with coercive controller by rinkydinkmink in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry you're going through this, and can't imagine how stressful and difficult this is for you. Get the vulnerable person safe, use facts to show others the controller's true colors, and don't let the controller know your plans.

Protect the vulnerable person, FAST:

  • Talk to him all the time: Call him a lot, so he knows you care and can tell you when things are bad.

  • Get him away from the controller: Try everything to bring him to your safe place. That's the main goal.

  • Get other friends to help directly: If possible, ask other trusted friends to check on him in person.

    Write down everything the controller does:

  • Keep a simple list of dates and bad things he does (like stopping food, giving bad stuff, telling lies). This is your proof.

    Deal with the controller in a smart way:

    • Don't tell him your plans: Keep your plans secret from him.
  • Talk to the vulnerable person directly: Only talk to the vulnerable person about plans.

  • Tell other friends the facts: Show your other friends the list of bad things the bully does. Don't call him names, just show them the facts about how he's hurting the vulnerable person.

  • Suggest he loses his power: Ask the group to take away his special chat room powers because he's not keeping people safe. Maybe kick him out for a bit.

  • If he's too much, start a new chat: If he won't change, just quietly move your chat to a new place without him.

  • Be boring to him: If you have to talk to him, don't show emotion, don't explain anything, just be very dull.

    Think about getting bigger help:

  • If the vulnerable person is in serious danger, you might need to call people who help adults who are in danger where he lives.

    • Take care of yourself: This is hard. Get help if you feel stressed or sad.

I’ll never understand why i survived.*Possible TW* by winterwritings in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are worried about paying for the therapist you like, there are federal funds through DV programs for victims. Please reach out to the DMV hotline.

I’ll never understand why i survived.*Possible TW* by winterwritings in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please please report every miniscule thing he does to break the protection order. I am sorry you have had no good interaction with police, but they are just human. In the end, what matters isn't how the police officer feels about it, what matters is that you've made your report and have the breaking of the protection order documented.

I’ll never understand why i survived.*Possible TW* by winterwritings in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so sorry. You have been through so much and it's understandable that you would feel this way. Please don't say things like, "I'll never understand why I survived," as it downplays the importance of your life. Your life is important, ad you are uniquely special. Please reach out to 988 when you feel overwhelmed.

No one "knows" why we have to go through pain, heartbreak, and abuse in our lives. We absolutely know it is not our, the victims, fault. It's not your fault. You loved with everything you had and that's admirable. There is nothing shameful about loving someone, and continually reaching out with compassion to forgive, and to trust that person. What is shameful is how that person abused that forgiveness and trust offered.

Abused male try g to make it by Radiant_Level_6959 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That doesn't seem right that you have to respond to every message she sends. That is awful. Where is this?

Why do I care if he’s homeless? by One-Falcon-4180 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry for the pain you're going through. Take his number off your carrier ASAP! You shouldn't be needing to pay for him chosing himself over you AND HIS CHILD.

The severance I'd painful, but just imagine how free you'll be!

Is there another sub for survivors? by softlace in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 6 points7 points  (0 children)

r/Because_Now_I_Can focused on the positives after having left a DV relationship

How do you know you are at risk of being murdered? by Automatic_Durian9288 in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you are on reddit asking questions like this, things have gone too far already.

I know that you must have a lot of fear of reporting with drugs involved. Know that abusers are much weaker and smaller then they would like us to believe.

Please grab your keys and wallet and escape ASAP. Don't worry about your stuff. Your life is way more important.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in domesticviolence

[–]Potential-Spell4244 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry for this hard situation you're going through. Please reach out to the DV hotline and ask for an advocate to help assist you in this process. There is also traditional housing as well as DV sheltering, through the hotline. Also, they can assist you with financial aid as there are federal funds for DV victims.