My ex’s last partner is abusive and he is now threatening to take the kids away
DEAR DEIDRE: MY ex’s last partner is abusive and he is now threatening to take my daughter and the son they share away from her.
I lie awake sick with worry.
My ex and I split up five years ago, but we stayed friends. We have an eight-year-old daughter and we are both in our thirties.
She also has a son aged four. She was only with his father for six months because of his abusive behaviour but has ongoing struggles with him.
He calls her when he’s drunk, making threats and saying he’ll take both kids.
I worry how my daughter’s life will be thrown into upheaval.
I want to do more to protect my ex and the kids but don’t know where I can turn for advice.
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DEIDRE SAYS: It’s doubtful he would want the responsibility of caring for two children full-time but the distress he’s causing is itself damaging for them.
Suggest your ex keep a diary of abusive behaviour and urge her to seek advice from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (nationaldahelpline.org.uk, 0808 2000 247).
You can find support through Families Need Fathers (fnf.org.uk, 0300 0300 363).