He turned into a monster!
Dear Caroline,
Please can you advise me on how the law stands on family assault? I am a woman of 36, and still live at home with my parents who are in their 50s and my brother who is 33. Recently my dad and brother went to the pub supposedly for just an hour or so, but they didn't come home for seven hours and were drunk. And when my dad eventually came home, he brought a person back with him who I detest. I admit I was in the wrong because as soon as I saw this person, I insulted him and embarrassed my father, who at the time went very quiet. He then telephoned my brother to come home.
Then my mum hid up because I had embarrassed her aswell. My dad then went berserk, he ranted and pushed me up the stairs, told me to "get to my room" then chased me up there and was about to hit me, then stopped himself. Then when my brother came home, he went berserk at me as well, he turned into a monster. He poked me in the face, and pushed me and also punched me in the arm. I couldn't say a word because if I had, he would have hit me in the face. He said I am "an evil bitch". I know I was in the wrong for insulting the person but is what happened after against the law, even though it was within the family? This is not the first time my brother has attacked me, but he has quite a bullying nature and is always in the right. My parents just let him carry on because they don't like aggravation.
Yours truly,
J
Hi J,
I can't suppose that anyone, should, or would put up with any kind of verbal or physical abuse from anyone especially your own flesh and blood.
It's up to you how to tackle this incident. I would speak to them both and make you intentions very very clear a as to why you don't like that person and then when they are sober I would tell them that it upsets you to be poked at shouted at or even hit. tell them your family and consider that you should be treated with respect and love and if you cant get that its not unreasonable to ask for that your a grown woman now and it shouldn't really be an issue to speak about with your kin.
Why cant you get a place of your own now your old enough aren't you move away and build a life that's free form abuse or pain and suffering and lets face it Im sure you'll br happier.
Regards
Caroline