div id="user-info" class="buttons"> RegisterLog in

This site is an archive of the OneSpace Forums. Return to forum index.

How do I obtain injunction against relative who is emotionally abusive?

flammingstar

 

This is an unusual situation & I feel trapped and helpless, I feel like I am going mad & I don't know which way to turn or what to do. I have always had a difficult, volatile relationship with my Mother. She is very, very controlling and is fine as long as I do EXACTLY what she wants me to do. If I don't tow the line she goes completely nuts.
She is continually verbally abusive - she calls me the most vile names and says the most awful things. [not just in temper, all the time] Things like my family don't love me and im hopeless, useless, pathetic ***** etc.
She told me yesterday that it was my fault that my Grandmother had a stroke. I have tried to 'fight back' and give as good as I get but it always turns into a horendous war and its wearing me down - I feel like i am at breaking point.
I would like to move away - just go and leave her behind, but I don't have sufficient funds to do that. I have asked her numerous times not to come to the house and repeatedly asked her to leave when she does [I called the police twice because she hit me - even whilst I was pregnant]
The house where I live actually belongs to her - I pay her rent [at the going rate, paid through the bank every week] to live here & she says she can come over whenever she wants.
I am tempted to get the locks changed because she has a key at the moment.
My BIG concern is for my son, he is 14 months old........ I have tried to stop her seeing him again and again but when I do we have a war,- she shouts, screams and swears and threatens to evict me or threatens violence.
She continually says I am a bad mother, tries to turn him against me by saying to him "your mummy is a bitch, come to your Nan" or even worse and threatens to take him off me/run away with him etc.
I feel helpless and trapped all the time - I have NO confidence whatsover. She continually bullies me into submission and I am sick of fighting her. I am a single parent - the baby does not see his father and I have no support whatsover [no other relatives to turn to]
I cant work out whether she is being a nasty, vindictive cow on purpose because she hates me or she has mental health issues and does not realise the effect her behaviour is having on both me and my son. I cant take much more. I have to do something or she is going to break me.
I am trying to find out if I can get an injunction against her or any help or advice would be so, so appreciated - I feel abused and bullied and I want it to stop for my son's sake, not just mine. I seriously cant take anymore.
Thank you.
Posted on: May 23, 2011 - 2:35pm
Anna
Online
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hi flamming star, this sounds like a very difficult situation to be in, my initial reaction is to move out of this house.

You might consider contacting Shelter (click) they have a telephone number that you can contact them on and discuss your situation. They also run advice surgeries, where you could get face to face information and support.

I imagine you may feel a little guilty about sharing some of this information with an external agency, however, it sounds as though as long as you are living in your mums house, you may well not get any peace.

It sounds as though you have grown hardened to these assaults, but it obviously is hurtful. You are not responsible for your grandmothers stroke nor are you responsible for your mothers behaviour. You really don't want your son growing up listening to this kind of disrespect towards his mother.

I am not sure how you would obtain an injunction against your mother, firstly you would need to get some legal advice, get a half hour free consultation, where they will be able to tell you if it was possible. You may also consider Family Mediation, so that you can air your concerns, fear and hurt in a safe environment.

It might be worth talking to your own doctor about too. Here is a link to Mind, an excellent organisation who support people with mental health issues and those affected by it. They have an infoline, you might want to give them a call and maybe they can support you in finding out if your mum does have mental health issues.

Basically your mum is being very controlling and now you are a mother yourself you need to be free of that and live your own life.

Keep in touch, we are here to support you. Let us know if you contact any of the above agencies and how it goes.

Posted on: May 23, 2011 - 3:12pm

Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

I endorse everything that Anna has said...and I would also say that if you are paying the going rate of rent at your mum's house, then you can pay the going rate to a different landlord. Check with Shelter whether there is a scheme in your area that will help you with a new bond, and with the solicitor as to whether you can change the locks (my layperson's guess is that you can't if she owns the house)

Whether your mum has mental health issues or not, you are still entitled to live free of this abuse and to protect your child.

We are all here for you Smile

Posted on: May 23, 2011 - 3:24pm

sparklinglime
DoppleMe

I'm so sorry that you're going through this.

I really do hope that you can get out of this situation quickly.

Posted on: May 23, 2011 - 3:35pm

flammingstar

Hi to everyone who helped offer help, support and best wishes your support was so appreciated at a time where my confidence is at rock bottom its lovely to know there are good people willing to offer advice and help.

Just want to update you on what is happening. I contacted social services myself yesterday in case she makes any malicious calls as she has threatened to do. They were not very helpful - they said that as my son was not in any immediate danger and under no physical threat they could not help, but they took my details so if she does ring they will know its false and malicious.

I also rang a legal helpline as they told me that I qualify for legal aid, they put me in-touch with a local family solicitor and I have an appointment Thursday. As soon as they apply to the court for an injunction that should stop her in her tracks.

I have tried to tolerate her abusive behavior for long enough, I have tried on many occasions to 'fight' back and give as good as I get but this just makes things worse and I cant do it anymore. I have had counselling in the past because her behaviour has affected me but I have not got anymore fight, I am not strong enough and now its differeent because my son is 1000000% my first priority and I have to protect him from her.

Enough is enough - everyone has a breaking point or final straw and I have reached mine - if I dont take action NOW and quickly she will break me and then she will have won and I wont have my gorgeous son. She obviously has issues which are very sad but not my problem and I will not let her win and I certainly will not let her behaviour affect my precious boy.

Thank you all again for your help, advice and support - you dont know how much it means to me.

flammingstar

Posted on: May 24, 2011 - 1:40pm

Louise
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Well done. flamming star, It is not easy when it is a  family member doing this, please let us know what the solicitor says

Posted on: May 24, 2011 - 1:41pm

sparklinglime
DoppleMe

I'm glad you've got an appointment sorted.

Posted on: May 24, 2011 - 2:39pm

bright white unicorn
DoppleMe

Hello flaming star!

It is not you. Unfortunately it is easier to project on to you than face her low self esteem issues which then inflate her control freak behaviour. And unfortunately you give her want she needs ie to feel good when you are squashed. 

There is a fantastic website called fem free- recovery from narcissitc abuse. On the left are articles that guide you on things like " dont pick up the bat " 'the price of pretend'

One survival tip: learn the art of indifference and be consistent. It is hard life skill to learn, but once mastered it will help in all your relationships with friends, family, work colleagues.

when they are nice be indifferent. because they don't get what they need they will and be tasty. be indifferent. Don't pick up the bat. let her have her bark. 

it can take up to 3 months and she will develop more extreme ways of trying to get a reaction out you. do not falter. unfortunately she will seek another whipping boy, but don't get involved. 

the articles will empower you. save them and print them out and read them alot. they have the answers and solutions. you wil feel like you could have written them yourself!

I know you will feel this is personal, but it is not about you. Whatever you do will always be wrong. you can't win ever, so stop trying. But you can manage your relationship with her and regain control.  emotionally detach and the power base will shift. 

she wants you to feel like a victim but you are not. Reclaim your life. if you don't someone ie her will and that is not acceptable for anyone.

Hope that helps!

Posted on: May 24, 2011 - 2:44pm

hazeleyes
DoppleMe

Hi flaming star. This is really a horrid situation. I'm so pleased that you've got an appointment on Thursday. I had a lot of trouble with so called family, and it involved solicitors, but they soon backed off when they realised I was up for the 'fight' and wasn't going to back down. It does seem worse when it is family involved, but your Mum has the problem, not you. I was paranoid that the family would try and somehow involve social services and have my son, now 8, taken off me, so I enlisted the help of my GP. He was horrified by their behaviour, and told me if social services got involved, he would support me all the way. I really do sympathise with what you are going through. Is it possible for you to move right away? Take care. xx

Posted on: May 24, 2011 - 6:51pm

Anna
Online
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hi flammingstar, wow, you have made some brilliant steps forward!

I presume you have lived with this all your life and no doubt it has had a serious effect on your mental health, I am so pleased that you are taking the bull by the horns and tackling this head on. Smile

Bright white unicorn makes some excellent points to note. I wish you strength with all that you are going to be facing. People who like control tend to demand it even more, (you would be surprised how low some people will sink), if they see that their victim is getting stronger. So would you consider getting some more counselling for yourself?

Posted on: May 25, 2011 - 1:46pm

curlygirly

 

This almost sounds like my life with my mother. On Christmas eve 2007 after another abusive row though i decided enough was enough and had no further contact with her. She continued to see my children however  in the April my eldest no longer wanted to visit as it felt uncomfortable about her derisory comments about me and her attitude towards his younger sister. The pressure she put him under was enormous and I am embarassed to say that It took me to the age of 34 to do what he did aged 9. I am proud of him telling me but so upset that he recognised her actions for what they were. My mother couldn't accept this and filed in Court for contact in September. We spent a year of CAFCASS interviews (with a fantastic CAFCASS officer) who did a wishes and feelings report and concluded that J didn't want to see them however via his father he would email them monthly. This appeased them enough to withdraw their application. Last Xmas eve (her timing was without doubt strategic and deisgned to upset but I did not let it) My parents served myself and my husband with court papers for contact with all three of my children. She already sees my middle child with her father once or twice a month and my eldest is now 13.

The most ironic thing in all of this is my mother is a social work consultant! She acted as a consultant on 1989 Children's Act. She has chaired many many child case conferences and made judgements on other people's parenting skills. Yet she threw me out at 16 and then again properly at 17 threatening to kill me. Her long list of abuse and attacks on me is starting to ebb and i can see her for what she is a mentally ill woman who just won't leave me and my family alone.

How do you get all that across in court??

I feel for you, get yourself away from it and make your life your own. Without my mother in my life I have a successful growing business and she has become an irritant.

Posted on: March 12, 2012 - 4:35pm

Anna
Online
Parenting specialist DoppleMe

Hi curlygirly, thanks for sharing your story, it sounds as though you have been through a tough few years. 

I take it you are married? Your husband sounds like a strong man who is able to withstand your parents and you have raised your children to believe in themselves.

Well done for finding the strength to stand up to your mum and also your successful business! smiley

Posted on: March 12, 2012 - 5:55pm