Anonymous wrote:TELL YOUR WIFE.
Anonymous wrote:You need to watch a movie called Rewind on Amazon.
This movie was excellent. It also really highlights how devastating the effects of the abuse can be, even with good, immediate mental health treatment for the survivors.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My sister recently told me that our stepdad sexually abused her. She did not provide a lot of details, and I didn’t press her. She said it wasn’t rape, but more like groping and touching. She says our mom knew and would help create opportunities for the abuse to happen. My sister said she wanted me to know because I have my own kids now who are around stepdad and mom.
What are my next steps? I have plans this summer to visit my mom and stepdad with my kids. We are planning to rent a cabin together on a lake. It’s already paid for and arranged. Do I cancel?
I am not totally sure I believe my sister. My sister and mom have had a lot of drama over the years. They’ve been estranged for 10 years now. My sister struggles with depression and anxiety but she has a very successful career as a doctor. She’s married and has her own kids who have never met our mother and stepdad.
Do I talk to my mom about this? What about our other sibling?
I wouldn’t automatically believe your sister. I would still go and watch carefully.
Why wouldn’t you? Watch for what??
Because it’s a big accusation and until proven guilty you can’t assume a person did something horrendous like that.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We had a similar situation -- potential abuse by DW's father, but the victim couldn't remember it clearly due to their young age at the time and also how long ago it was. No worrisome signs since then. We just weren't certain. It was a maybe it happened kind of thing.
We decided we'd make sure our kids are never alone with him, just to be sure. When we visit, we stay in a hotel but their house isn't big enough for us anyway. Basically there are no opportunities to for it to happen. Interestingly he's not a touchy-feely person, so even just giving the kids a hug would be a red flag and we've seen no such signs.
What motivation do you think a person would have to falsely declare this having happened? Are you comfortable maintaining a relationship with the accused knowing this person may have sexually abused a child?
Sometimes people with untreated mental illness make false allegations.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:"I knew he was dangerous but I didn't want to lose my deposit"
Imagine saying that to your kid 10 years from now when they ask why you let them get assaulted.
Op here. I shouldn’t have mentioned that the trip is paid for. I just meant that there isn’t some easy way to just put it off. We will have to actually cancel the trip is all, and I will have to give a reason to my mom.
I think you should talk to your mom about this - to gauge her reaction. You seem awfully flippant here. Have you told your wife?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Based on what you’ve said, I’m inclined to believe the sister.
And yes, I think I would cancel the trip. Sorry.
Op here. It’s not that I don’t believe my sister. I just don’t know and have no way of knowing if it happened or not. My sister and I are not terribly close.
If I was forced to guess, I’d say she’s probably telling the truth.
Anonymous wrote:My sister recently told me that our stepdad sexually abused her. She did not provide a lot of details, and I didn’t press her. She said it wasn’t rape, but more like groping and touching. She says our mom knew and would help create opportunities for the abuse to happen. My sister said she wanted me to know because I have my own kids now who are around stepdad and mom.
What are my next steps? I have plans this summer to visit my mom and stepdad with my kids. We are planning to rent a cabin together on a lake. It’s already paid for and arranged. Do I cancel?
I am not totally sure I believe my sister. My sister and mom have had a lot of drama over the years. They’ve been estranged for 10 years now. My sister struggles with depression and anxiety but she has a very successful career as a doctor. She’s married and has her own kids who have never met our mother and stepdad.
Do I talk to my mom about this? What about our other sibling?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The fact that you can't get your money back for the vacation shouldn't be a factor at all. I would not take the chance. If your stepdad abused your kids, how could you ever forgive yourself???
Op here. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself! But also, DW and I will both be there and our kids would never be alone with stepdad.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You doing mental gymnastics because not spending time with your step dad is too much work.
I am really afraid with the feedback OP got here he will not share the news with his wife to avoid the "pot stirring".
I don't think ever intends to tell her.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You doing mental gymnastics because not spending time with your step dad is too much work.
I am really afraid with the feedback OP got here he will not share the news with his wife to avoid the "pot stirring".