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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

I think i am in a controlling Marriage and I coerced into Sex frequently.

55 replies

dunky1234 · 07/05/2026 21:49

I’m new here so apologises if this is the wrong place or not appropriate but I need some advice - This may also be long so bare with me.

Ok here goes,

Ok here goes,

I am new to this community and last night I posted in a different community asking if my husband is controlling. After explaining what happens a few replies were in fact - Rape by coercion.

Basically my husband of nearly 20 years makes me feel guilty, tries to bribe me and will get extremely angry/grumpy and his personality changes to the most horrible man ever and will pick a fight over anything at all if we don’t have sex for maximum 3 days.

Now I understand that people have needs but I am a mother of 4 children (2 under 5 years old) and I worked over 45 hours a week.

I would do every single thing to do with the house, children EVERYTHING!

We had a business which is in the process of administration and to top it off myself and kids got caught up in the Dubai War situation and now back in the UK staying with family. We were over there visiting family and my husband made out I was being dramatic over the whole thing but I’m sorry having missiles flying over our heads is not dramatic and following the advice from the UAE government to stay away from windows etc is the safest thing to do with my children not to mention army bases getting hit next to where we were staying and the noises of the explosions getting intercepted above the house was terrifying for me and my children.

You could actually see the missiles through the windows getting intercepted- yes the government is incredible but no thank you.

Even after the birth of my children (All C section’s) I have had to tell him to be patient with me as I can barely move let alone be intimate. I would then get - I want to feel close to you blah blah.

When it comes around to “doing the deed” or even just lying in bed and I am exhausted my eyes are shut I get woken up by him banging around to wake me up so we can be intimate as I have promised him and i probably do promise him from the night before we would have sex the night after if i have fallen asleep.

He will purposely try and keep me awake or fight and shout at me until all hours of the night / morning until I give in or he will tell me the marriage is over as I can’t meet his needs etc and sometimes he actually leaves the room and sleeps downstairs in-fact one evening he left the house altogether.

My husband is living in the UAE and we are separated but since I have been gone loads of things are now starting to come about his behaviour. The longer I’m away the more I start to notice this.

For example - When I was in the UAE I asked permission to go to a hotel pool with friends and after I got there he was grumpy and angry that I went - his friends didn’t like the hotel pool I was at as it has a reputation for “escorts” 😳

I ended up leaving as I was worried sick that he was going to kick off at me over this even though I asked his permission.

I was correct he picked me up and basically shouted at me the whole way home and into the evening.

He hasn’t physically punched me but over the years he has strangled me, threw me across the floor etc and he got arrested but let out 2 days later as i felt horrendous and guilty for the police coming.

There is so much more I can write about it but I don’t know what to do….

He is now making up random lies and trying to “catch me out” by calling my 18 year old son when all I am currently doing is sharing a bed with my 2 young kids and the 3rd is on the floor on a mattress in the living room and daily supermarket runs with my dad and take the kids to the park for an hour.

Last weekend he was going crazy at me because my dad took me to Starbucks’s.

Has anyone else gone through this?

It is playing on my mind and I just need to understand how to process this and what my action plan is.

I was meant to return to the UAE but the more I am out of this the more I don’t want to be in this situation.

OP posts:
BlanketBlues · 07/05/2026 21:53

You are not in UAE now? Dont go back!

dunky1234 · 07/05/2026 21:54

No UK with my parents and children

OP posts:
BlanketBlues · 07/05/2026 21:55

So dont go back? He is evil!

ChickenBananaBanana · 07/05/2026 21:56

Don't go back and definitely don't take your kids back.

ForTipsyFinch · 07/05/2026 21:56

He sounds incredibly unsafe. Can you stay with your parents? You need to be a million miles from this lunatic.

parkezvous · 07/05/2026 21:58

Do not go back. He sounds vile. Do you have a house in the UK?

zurigo · 07/05/2026 21:59

Stay here. Don't go back. File for divorce!

Your horrible husband is an violent, manipulative, abuser who coerces you into sex you don't want and attacks you and prevents you from sleeping if you don't give in. You need to speak to the police and get a restraining order against him before he kills you Flowers

dunky1234 · 07/05/2026 22:00

parkezvous · 07/05/2026 21:58

Do not go back. He sounds vile. Do you have a house in the UK?

Yes but I am worried if he knows we have moved back in. He will fly back and try and move in also. One minute he is never leaving the UAE and the next he might….

OP posts:
Screamingabdabz · 07/05/2026 22:01

You know this isn’t right op. No relationship should make you feel unsafe and unhappy. No one should have to have sex they don’t want. No one should be strangled and thrown across the floor.

He’s an abusive cunt and you should see a solicitor (don’t let on to him or your kids) to get the ball rolling on a divorce. Don’t tell him until it’s all wrapped up and ready to go. Then don’t look back.

Devilsmommy · 07/05/2026 22:02

Stay in the UK away from this abusive cunt. The fact that he's strangled you before makes me so scared for you as there's only one way this would end and that would be with your death. He's a controlling twat and a rapey cunt as well. You're better off where you are. Please do not go back there. Keep yourself and your children safe by staying away from him

beebeebabs · 07/05/2026 22:02

You’re separated? As in, your relationship is ending? I truly hope so. He’s a horrible abuser.

Start divorce proceedings and, if you would like to process/understand this experience, definitely go to therapy. Please stay safe. He sounds very dangerous. Speak to Women’s Aid.

sallymonella · 07/05/2026 22:03

Your husband is abusing you and strangulation is a massive red flag for homicide. Please do not go back to him.

BlanketBlues · 07/05/2026 22:04

You are insanely lucky to get your children out and back Home. Protect Them and You and never go back

Italiangreyhound · 07/05/2026 22:07

You poor woman. He sounds awful.

Please get legal help. Solicitors need to advise you to get free of him.

moderate · 07/05/2026 22:08

Talk to Women's Aid ASAP. Do not ever let this man into your home again. If he tries to get in, call the police overtly.

nothingcangowrongnow · 07/05/2026 22:11

Tell you your parents. He can’t move with them as it’s not his house. Don’t return to UAE

Strangecat · 07/05/2026 22:16

Start by recording/writing all these incident. If you are on benefits, you should be entitled to Legal Aid. Find a Family law firm that deals with Legal Aid and ask for a non molestation order, then an occupation order. The first one will prevent him from approaching you or making contact with you. The second order, will prevent him access to your property, even if his name is on the mortgage/rent contract. Thirdly, get you solicitor to process children arrangements.
I am glad you are not with this monster right now. Time to protect yourself and your children!

MaidOfSteel · 07/05/2026 22:42

You have experienced horrific domestic abuse & violence, coercion into sex and more, OP. I’m so sorry this has happened to you, but this is your chance to escape what must’ve been a hellish life.

In your position, I’d make an appointment with a specialist family law solicitor as soon as possible. No-one need know just yet. Start divorce proceedings and follow the solicitor’s advice. They might recommend speaking to the police, especially if you’re afraid there might be even more violence.

Sending you a big hug. It’ll take strength and time to get through all this, but now you’ve recognised the reality of your situation, you can take steps to change it, and to protect yourself and your kids.

Helgirl666 · 08/05/2026 01:18

Do not return as you may not get another chance to get you and your kids to safety again.

FetchezLaVache · 08/05/2026 01:29

Jesus, that's no way to spend your one precious life.

It's also no model of marriage to show to your children.

Please file for divorce. Can you stay with your parents for a bit longer, so you don't have to run into him in the marital home if he decides to come back to the UK?

Franjipanl8r · 08/05/2026 02:17

You are in an abusive marriage I’m afraid. I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with all of this. Please keep you and your children away from him and safe.

Zanatdy · 08/05/2026 05:39

You need to leave this guy. Guilt tripping you into sex is one thing and bad enough, but strangling you? This man is dangerous and you need to leave him. He is still controlling your life from afar. Do not return to the UAE under any circumstances, they are not exactly known for women’s rights. Please seek legal advice.

Jolenepleasetakeawaymyman · 08/05/2026 05:57

Dear OP you are surviving his abuse.

From everything you describe he is abusing you in many ways. Please do not go back to UAE.. For now make an excuse like worry over safety and the war.

Don’t tell him what you are planning. Phone a solicitor today. Choose one that is used to dealing with international divorces. I can recommend one to you that I used if you want.

If you are a British citizen and can stay in the uk do so. Get the kids in school now and get them settled. This will help you to say they are now resident in the UK. Tell him you are stating because of the war. Poker face on to get out of this.

see the gp and register you and the kids with them. If you can get onto the freedom programme. Search it up please.

You are strong. You can escape this and make a better life for your children. Sharing rooms is fine don’t worry better a calm and environment.

You have been hands your chance here to leave this man. Please do so for you and your children.

strength and love OP 💐💐💐💐

WarriorN · 08/05/2026 06:01

The freedom programme

https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/

Buy the book asap.

the most dangerous time for a woman is when she tries to leave / leaves.

do not tell him anything. Please seek expert advice today