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Need advice please about my pregnant sister and abusive partner

135

Comments

  • minnie123
    minnie123 Posts: 2,133 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    What can she do - he has taken her bank card off her and she has no access to their money now
  • claireac
    claireac Posts: 983 Forumite
    I've been in a very similar situation, with the only difference being that I stayed with my xh for 14 years. These were filled with emotional and physical abuse, followed by an absolutely horrendous divorce, and greatly damaged my two boys for a while there.

    My advice is to get your sister as far away from this man as possible. Yes she may want to stay in the house, but at the end of the day her safety and that of her unborn baby are of paramount importance. I walked away from my home of 10years, and at the end of the day it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought!

    I suggest she reports the incident to the police, if only to get it on record. Take pictures (dated) of any bruises and mark he left on her. Also tell the midwife. Speak to Refuge, they helped me so much! Also, if you go to the CAB they can get you in to see a solicitor for a free consultation. Make sure you get a really good solicitor, it makes a world of difference.

    She's very lucky that she has your support. If I can help, leave me a message
  • shell_girl
    shell_girl Posts: 642 Forumite
    She needs to contact her bank and get the card stopped immediately.
    Don't suffer alone - if you are experiencing Domestic Abuse contact the National Domestic Abuse Helplines
    England 0808 2000 247 Wales 0808 80 10 800 Scotland 0800 027 1234 Northern Ireland 0800 917 1414 Republic of Ireland 1800 341 900. Free and totally confidential.
  • mrcow
    mrcow Posts: 15,170 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    minnie123 wrote: »
    What can she do - he has taken her bank card off her and she has no access to their money now

    She can go into the bank and withdraw from it.

    Just tell them that she's misplaced her card. Other ID will suffice.

    Mind you - he may have emptied the account?

    What bank is it? See if they have a counter service on Saturdays?


    Edit: yes - call the bank now and tell them that the card has been lost - they'll send her a new one.
    "One day I realised that when you are lying in your grave, it's no good saying, "I was too shy, too frightened."
    Because by then you've blown your chances. That's it."
  • shell_girl
    shell_girl Posts: 642 Forumite
    Where is she now- is she with you? In your house/ her house?
    Don't suffer alone - if you are experiencing Domestic Abuse contact the National Domestic Abuse Helplines
    England 0808 2000 247 Wales 0808 80 10 800 Scotland 0800 027 1234 Northern Ireland 0800 917 1414 Republic of Ireland 1800 341 900. Free and totally confidential.
  • minnie123
    minnie123 Posts: 2,133 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    She is not with me, she has popped round a friends - she is being suprisingly calm and wants to stay at hers.
  • shell_girl
    shell_girl Posts: 642 Forumite
    The best thing you can do for her is get her as much information as possible- in a situation like this info is power and the more she has the better able she will be to make an informed decision.

    This is a great website for further information, as is this one.

    Last bit of advice from me- she may well decide to stay with her partner/ go back/ try again. If that happens please please don't fall out with her. So many women who eventually decide they do want to leave abusive partners find that they have no support network because family / friends couldn't understand them wanting to try again. On average it takes 7 attempts to leave an abusive partner, and even more scarily, the average abused partner will be assaulted up to 35 times before they involve the police.
    Don't suffer alone - if you are experiencing Domestic Abuse contact the National Domestic Abuse Helplines
    England 0808 2000 247 Wales 0808 80 10 800 Scotland 0800 027 1234 Northern Ireland 0800 917 1414 Republic of Ireland 1800 341 900. Free and totally confidential.
  • lolababy
    lolababy Posts: 723 Forumite
    Hi first of all she needs to ring womens aid on 0808 2000 247. They will advise her on her next step. They also refer women in your sisters position to emergency accommodation.
    Its important that she gets help NOW! lots of women have been hurt or even killed by abusive partners.
    The house is not important and can be sorted at a later date.
  • BeenieCat
    BeenieCat Posts: 6,567 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    shell_girl wrote: »
    Last bit of advice from me- she may well decide to stay with her partner/ go back/ try again. If that happens please please don't fall out with her. So many women who eventually decide they do want to leave abusive partners find that they have no support network because family / friends couldn't understand them wanting to try again. On average it takes 7 attempts to leave an abusive partner, and even more scarily, the average abused partner will be assaulted up to 35 times before they involve the police.

    Thanks for pointing this out, it's very interesting.
  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 36,284 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    minnie123 wrote: »
    They are not married - She has no money they have a joint account and he took her bank card off her before he left.


    Right

    She needs to ring the bank urgently and stop the card. NOW.
    Is there no money in the account?
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
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