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Groping Issue

foolmeonce's picture

I don’t know what to think or do right now.  Luckily, this didn’t happen to my daughters (ages 12 & 15), but I’m worried.  My daughters & I live with my boyfriend & his 13 year old son.  His son spent the weekend at his BM’s house.  He is still on Christmas break today so he stayed there last night.  This morning, BM called up my boyfriend in a panic because their son groped his step sister while she was trying to sleep on the couch.  The boy feels bad about his actions & said he felt like jumping off a cliff.  I feel really bad for his step sister because she’s scared of what happened.  My boyfriend told me that he didn’t want me to tell my daughters anything about it because he’s afraid they would give him hell about it.  My girls aren’t like that but I think that they should be aware of what he did so that they don’t allow themselves to be in a position for him to do the same thing to them even though he said he’s learned his lesson.  My boyfriend thinks that his son was just curious & this will never happen again.

Am I wrong for wanting to tell my daughters about this?

sunshinex's picture

TELL YOUR DAUGHTERS. NOW. 

Normal 13-year-old boys don't grope sleeping girls. He's not sorry he did it, he's sorry and ashamed he got caught. Please, please, please tell your daughters. Women deal with enough sexual harassment in life, they don't need it in their own home from trusted family members. 

ETA: your husband needs to do some serious damage control. Normal curiosity is watching porn. It's not normal curiosity to grope your stepsister. I would consider what kind of man I'm married to if he was okay, or worse, downplaying this. He should have taught his son right in the first place! 

 

 

foolmeonce's picture

That's what I kinda thought.  He's just upset because he got caught.  He lies about a ton of stuff but everyone always says that he's such a good kid.  Whatever!  I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't the only one that thought my daughters should know about it.  Thanks!

foolmeonce's picture

Why do you think that it's wrong for me to explain to them what happened at BM's house?  They are going to want to know why suddenly I am telling them to be aware of stuff like that happening to them.

STaround's picture

Increases geometrically when their is an unrelated male (either stepfather, or stepbrother would be considered unrelated for this purpose.  Do your DDs have their own rooms?  Share?  

I think BF is in denial.  13 is way too old to be curious.   This was way more than curiosity. 

foolmeonce's picture

I'm not married to him.  We have been dating for 4 years & living together for 1 1/2 years.  My boyfriend said that he talked to his son about it a bunch this morning but I'm at work so I didn't get to witness this.  His son rarely talks to anyone & my boyfriend just claims his son is ADHD.

notarelative's picture

BF needs to take this seriously. The judge won’t care if SS has ADHD. SS may be 13, but there are serious legal consequences if the step sister’s other parent goes to the police.

 

Jcksjj's picture

I'm probably going to get attacked for this but...if he actually does have ADHD its likely that he is 2 to 3 years behind his chronological age maturity wise. So idk if that was his point in mentioning that. 10 or 11 would still be more than old enough to know not to touch someone in that manner I'd think though so idk if that really is relevant anyway. Or did he mean it was a lack of impulse control due to having ADHD? I do know I would be freaking out if my son did that at any age though and I would definitely be worried if I had daughters also. Maturity issues or not it would affect them the same.

tog redux's picture

I don't know if I would tell them specifically that he did this to someone, but I would have a conversation with them in general terms about not allowing any male to do that to them, PERIOD. That you want to know if this happens to them and they should feel free to punch the offender in the nose.

DH needs to take it seriously and have a discussion with his son about it.

 

foolmeonce's picture

My daughters share a room together.  His son has his own room.  This happened at the BM's house because for some stupid reason, they let the kids spend the night in the livingroom on the couch.  I would never have let that happen at my house.

Aniki-Moderator's picture

This happened at the BM's house because for some stupid reason, they let the kids spend the night in the livingroom on the couch. 

Wrong. This has NOTHING to do with that scenario. What if the boy was at a sleepover and he did this to the daughter of the house? There is NO excusing this kind of behavior because of WHERE it happened.

sunshinex's picture

I can't believe anyone is suggesting it's wrong to say what happened at BM's house. This isn't a matter of intruding on BM's home/privacy. It's a matter of protecting your children from sexual assault. You all know predators escalate, right? First it's a grope... then what? What's next now that he's gotten away with a grope on a sleeping girl? Holy shit. Tell your kids, fuck BM's privacy. 

foolmeonce's picture

Oh, I don't have to worry about my daughters allowing something like this to happen because I have talked to them about this in general & they said they would punch whoever tried to do something like that to them.

sunshinex's picture

Right...

OP, one of your daughters is 15. This boy is 13. Hate to be the one to tell you, but those kids are going to start drinking in the next 2-3 years. What happens if your daughter drinks a lil too much near this boy and she can't stop him when he attacks her? You cannot predict circumstances by locking doors or giving them permission to hit him. You need your girls to know exactly what happened so they never let their guard down and your husband needs to give some serious consequences to his son. It's not a matter of "IF" he'll attack your girls, it's a matter of "WHEN."

 

Aniki-Moderator's picture

Start drinking in the next 2-3 years? Some kids are already drinking at age 13. Kids are having sex at 13 and younger.

13 is old enough to know that it is NOT okay to sexually assault someone - sleeping or awake. The parents need to act ASAP; not make light of this deviant behavior.

justmakingthebest's picture

I think that you should have a conversation about making sure that they are locking the door when they shower or change clothes. Rules need to be set and NOT EVER broken about bedroom spaces. Boys don't go into girls rooms. You need to have a talk with him and honestly let him know that you will forever have your eye on him and if he ever touches one of your daughters we won't be having a discussion- police will be called and he will find out what happens to little boys in prision for sexual assault. Touching is assault. 

A self defense class for the 3 of you wouldn't hurt. Your daughters are at/approaching dating ages and should be able to defend themselves- period. This doesn't have to be about SS but it isn't not about SS either. 

notsurehowtodeal's picture

Make sure they have locks on their bedroom doors and tell them to use them. I realize this might make things a bit tense around the house, but their safety is what matters.

What is your boyfriend going to do about what happened? What is he going to do to make sure it doesn't happen again? A 13 year old boy who is curious about girls does not grope a sleeping girl. What he did is criminal and he could have been criminally charged.

I think you need to make sure your boyfriend is going to take this seriously and if he is not - you might need to reconsider having your girls live with his boy.

foolmeonce's picture

My boyfriend explained to him how he screwed up by his actions & told him that he just needs to put this in the past.  I told my boyfriend that I feel sorry for that girl because this is going to haunt her for a long time especially since this is her step brother who did it to her.  I think the reason my boyfriend doesn't want me telling my daughters is because they already don't like the kid & he just doesn't want this to be another reason for them to dislike him.  He's wanting to protect his son's privacy (I guess).

RiverLark's picture

Absolutely tell your daughters that there is a potential sexual predator in their lives. And good for them if they tell him off about it. Someone has to teach him. If he’s not in counseling he should be ASAP. Sexual touching at 13 is not curiosity. He sexually assaulted a family member. He’s dangerous. 

foolmeonce's picture

My girls have a lock on their bedroom door & I've had to explain to my boyfriend & his son about knocking on a closed door before just walking in.  They always lock the door when they are changing their clothes & using the restroom.  My boyfriend is taking it pretty serious right now.  I'm not sure what he's going to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.

foolmeonce's picture

I plan on talking more with my boyfriend about it tonight & explain to him why I am telling my daughters about what happened at BM's house.  His son invaded his step sister's privacy by his actions so it shouldn't be kept a secret in our house since we all live together.

RiverLark's picture

You are definitely in the right. I hope the talk goes well, maybe you can post an update. 

foolmeonce's picture

I've tried telling my boyfriend before that I think his son should be in counseling because I really don't think that he is ADHD but he won't put him in counseling.  And I doubt that he will put him in counseling for this because he thinks that this is just normal for a teenage boy & their raging hormones.

SonOfABrisketMaker's picture

your daughters and run. This kid layed hands on a sleeping woman and his own father is all "lol, boys will be boys!!". No punishment, no boundaries, no real, lasting  consequences. Why didn't that girl's bioparents call the cops??

RiverLark's picture

I’m sorry to say this but if your husband thinks this is normal behaviour that is appalling and very revealing. I’d get the hell out of there. 

susanm's picture

So let me get this straight.  He wants to tell you what to do with your daughters and their safety but won't even consider your suggestion for putting his little budding sex offender in counseling because "boys will be boys?"  Are you f*cking kidding me??????  And you have to ask strangers on the internet if this is wrong?  Tell your daughters not to fall asleep unless they are behind a locked door because this little jerk will stick his hand down their pants and start making arrangements for them to live somewhere that they do not have to be around this kind of behavior.  This is not a hard decision.

SonOfABrisketMaker's picture

did your SS stepdad ban him from the house?

I don't understand why there is a discussion about what to say to your daughters. What you should say is "pack up ladies, we're getting a condo!" This sexual predator with no impulse control is living with your daughters. There is no reason to warn them, to get them classss to defend against him, to make them lock their own door in their own home. He needs to be gone or you do.

Aunt Agatha's picture

I’m glad you are telling your girls.  

This 13 year old pervert committed sexual assault and until he has counseling and real consequences, he would not be allowed in my home period, especially if I had daughters.

I would be pressing assault charges if I was the mom of the stepdaughter too.  

He knowingly took advantage of another defenseless person for his own pleasure.  How is your husband ok with trying to hide it?  He needs to get the kid help.  Right now he is just coddling the pervert by giving him ‘talks’.  

We all know how effective those are.

If you insist on allowing him into your home, locks on every door, and as others have said, cameras in common areas and  let him know you and your daughters will take care of his issues with a smack down if he so much as bumps them, then you’ll call the police personally for good measure and will press charges. I’d say it in front of dear old dad too.

You and your daughters’ mental and physical safety must take priority over a clear, proven sexual predator.  I’d never trust this kid again.

foolmeonce's picture

No, the step sister's dad had a long talk with him, hugged him & told him that he loved him.  That's it.....as far as I know.  Not sure what that dad said to his own daughter who was the victim though.

Like I said, luckily this crap didn't happen to one of my daughters or else the girls & I would have left immediately.  My boyfriend (his father) is not like this so I don't know why he did it.

SonOfABrisketMaker's picture

before it happens. Cause it will. 

Winterglow's picture

I can't say I expected any better from a moron who would put two teens in the same bed/couch.

Good grief! You'd think it was your SS who was the victim.

Aunt Agatha's picture

the men in his life allowed him to with no repercussions.

Hugs for assaulting a sleeping girl? 

Good god woman.  This kid is doomed. Take your girls and get them out of this situation before he does something to them.

sunshinex's picture

I'm sorry you're going through this. I can't imagine how difficult it is knowing you love your husband but his kid is a threat to yours. It's gotta be hard, but do what's best for your kids. If your husband doesn't appropriately resolve this, you need to leave. 

notsurehowtodeal's picture

Your boyfriend's son didn't "invade his step-sister's privacy" - he sexually assaulted her. And your boyfriend's response was to tell him he screwed up and he should put it in his past. And the father of the victim talked to him and he him he loved him. So this young man has two grown men basically telling him what he did was not that big a deal and he should just move on.

I'm going to revise my advice. Take your girls and move out. Keep seeing your boyfriend if you want to, but don't make your girls live with a boy who has committed at least one sexual assault with no consequences.

It is beyond my understanding how the father of the victim has chosen not to defend and protect his daughter.

RiverLark's picture

This is rape culture. Putting the onus on the girls to stay safe instead of making sure the boy doesn’t reoffend. How would that feel in your own home? To be charged with always locking your door? Taking self defense courses? Telling them not to let it happen? 

This is a teachable moment for everyone concerned. 

foolmeonce's picture

What exactly should this boy's parents do?  They can't both kick him out of their houses & expect him to make it on his own on the street at only 13 years old.  What can I tell my boyfriend (his dad) that he should do about this other than talking to him about his actions until he's blue in the face?  

Aunt Agatha's picture

and you know PARENTING. Consequences that drive it home - certainly no electronics or unsupervised internet usage so the sexual assault pervert isn’t looking up porn.  Obviously he is clueless so porn  will only make it worse.

I also believe the cops need to be involved.  This wasn’t accidental. It was deliberately taking advantage of someone.

When no family let’s him around their daughters, he knows why.

Your Boyfriend has his head in the sand, as does the step daughters’s father.

Then you protect your girls by moving out.   

SonOfABrisketMaker's picture

Who cares what what HIS parents do? What is the mother of YOUR DAUGHTERS going to do? "Lol, they'll never consent to being groped when they are asleep. They'll punch him!" Are you listening to yourself? 

 

This is a lot like the vegetarian 3 year old abuse  thread. OP talks about something awful and then acts like it's super ok and nothing is actually wrong.

 

 

foolmeonce's picture

I'm not acting like everything is ok & nothing is wrong.  As a mother of my daughters, I'm going to do whatever I can to protect them.  I care what his parents do because I live with one of his parents.  And what you have in quotes is not exactly what I said anyways.  I'm looking for good advice, not people to throw stones at me for asking for advice.

SonOfABrisketMaker's picture

No one has thrown stones for asking for advice. I am merely commenting on your lack of urgency about this. My quote was paraphrasing my perspective on your replies. At first I felt frustrated because it seemed like you were trapped in a house with these two men due to finances or whatever. I was trying to find reasons that the mother of two girls would leave their safety up to them. But your flippant reply about "what are his parents supposed to do??" is the same type of reaction that the predator's father has. "What can we do about it? See? He feels bad. Boys will be boys, after all." Who cares what boys do? You need to care about how to safeguard your daughters. I do not believe teaching them to have to defend themselves and constantly be on guard in their own home is the best answer. What this kid does and how his parents react is nothing compared to the immediate and non negotiable actions you should take to keep Junior's hands off your sleeping child's body. If there was a person in my home that made me think "jeez, I'd better make sure my daughter locks her bedroom door", that person would be gone. Immediately. Or I would be. 

Edit: I took your comment about my quote seriously and went back to see what made me think you said that, ready to apologize if I misread something. You said "Oh, I don't have to worry about my daughters allowing something like this to happen because I have talked to them about this in general & they said they would punch whoever tried to do something like that to them." The girl was asleep. Consent wasn't an issue. If this creep follows the same MO, your child will be violated before she can break her hand on his jaw. 

 

foolmeonce's picture

Lack of urgency?  I just found out about this today while I was at work.  My boyfriend is a fireman who was still at work when he got the phone call about what all happened.  And I'm serious with my question about asking what his parents should do.  I'm looking for advice/resources about what his parents can do about this situation so that this abuse doesn't continue, the boy gets the help he needs, the step sister gets the help she needs, etc.

I guess I stated the part about my daughters taking care of themselves incorrectly.  I meant that I have discussed with them before about not allowing someone to touch them inappropriately & to stand up for themselves plus avoiding situations that someone could harm them (i.e. unlocked bathroom/bedroom doors, revealing clothing, unaware of their surroundings, etc).

SonOfABrisketMaker's picture

The way you talked about this, is been an issue for a few days. You said your bf received a call from BM and has had time to talk with the kid about assaulting a sleeping woman. Did your BF keep this from you for a few days?

 

Also, you are looking at the wrong thing. Your boyfriend's kid, BM's SD.. none of these kids matter in comparison to your daughters. It doesn't matter how much information you have about getting the boy help, it's not your choice for him and his own parents seem to be unwilling or unable to follow through with consequences or therapy. Where does that leave you? You are a single mom with two daughters. THEY are your responsibility and you have the power to guard them. As Lark(?) said "Putting the onus on the girls to stay safe instead of making sure the boy doesn’t reoffend. How would that feel in your own home? To be charged with always locking your door? Taking self defense courses? Telling them not to let it happen? " 

Yes, you need to act with urgency and haste. Your daughters should not spend even one more night under the same roof as this budding rapist.

RiverLark's picture

Put him in counsiling. NOT HUG HIM. Take away his privileges. Talk to law enforcement. Get a police officer to scare the hell out of him. Show him Juvie centres. Talk about consequences. 

I'm not an expert. They should talk to a person who specializes in rehabilitating teenaged sexual offenders. My cousin is one, and I could ask her what would work, if that would help. 

foolmeonce's picture

I'm not sure if the BM of the step sister is even in her life anymore or not.  I don't know why the BD of the step sister acted like he did to the boy which makes me wonder how he is treating his own daughter.

foolmeonce's picture

RiverLark, yes, please ask your cousin about this situation & post what you find out.

RiverLark's picture

(We're in Canada) 

"The college of social work should be able to recommend social workers and/or programs designed to deal with sexual offending behaviour. 

Kids do this for a variety of reasons and treatment needs to address the individual details.  

there is a very high success rate when the issue is addressed immediately, only 11% of youth who receive suitable treatment re-offend. More is not necessarily better, the treatment should match the details ... but addressing it without shaming is essential.  The majority of adult offenders started offending in youth and the behaviour becomes much harder to change with each repetition.  

Supporting the one who was abused can be challenging but I'll leave that to professionals with more experience.  my expertise in youth dynamics is with the offenders.  

hope this but is helpful. if you want research info search Jim Worling and SAFE-T, if that info is still available.  he's the leading Canadian researcher and has trained most of us in the field. its a very small field.  travel may be necessary to access qualified help."

foolmeonce's picture

Thank you RiverLark for asking your cousin for this info.  I really appreciate it.

Rags's picture

Definately tell your daughters.  Forewarned is forearmed. 

This kind of thing needs to be addressed extremely agressively so that it does not become a long term issue.

IMHO of course.

Chmmy's picture

PROTECT YOUR DAUGHTERS FIRST BEFORE ANY MAN, SKID OR ANYONE. I CANT STAND MY SD16 BUT I ALWAYS MADE SURE SHE DIDNT HAVE TO STAY WITH HER 14 YEAR OLD STEP BROTHER IN A 2 BDRM APARTMENT. IT'S INVASIBE FOR HER TO HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH OR SHARE A ROOM OR WHATEVER THEY DID WITH THEIR COMBINED 6 KIDS.

 

JanRebecca's picture

The fact that he did this while the girl was sleeping implies he knew it was wrong and thought the girl wouldn't know - very disturbing. He feels bad and ashamed 'that he got caught' - most likely not that he did it. I'd be very very careful about EVER leaving them alone together.

STaround's picture

Children living without either parent (foster children) are 10 times more likely to be sexually abused than children who live with both biological parents. Children who live with a single parent that has a live-in partner are at the highest risk: they are 20 times more likely to be victims of sexual abuse than children living with both biological parents (Sedlack et al, 2010).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Sedlak, A.J., Mettenburg, J., Basena, M., Petta, I., McPherson, K., Greene, A., and Li, S. (2010). Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS–4): Report to Congress, Executive Summary. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families

Indigo's picture

SGS-now-12 showed concerning behavior @ 6 years old.  His bio-parents excused it, forgave it, laughed about it, minimized it & ignored it.  SGS's victims include neighborhood children and his cousins. The cousins were placed into foster care because their parents failed to protect them. 

You are at risk for losing your children. You are on notice.  You must protect them.  How? Well, that's up to you. 

From my experience, I would suggest that you seperate households and allow DH to focus upon helping his BS --- counseling & education for both of them.  My SO took a special class through CPS/court to teach him how to help SGS & keep other people safe, when they are at a public place.  Specialty help is available even in small towns & poor states.

STaround's picture

If I were dad, I would be scared that DS is being put in a situation he cannot handle.   Dad and his son need  a break, son needs counseling.  Many times sex offenders have been abused themselves, but no matter what, son needs more than a hug and a talking to. 

Indigo's picture

I'll assume that DH had a knee-jerk reaction without thinking it through & without any real understanding of the ramifications.  One time event that was caught.  How many other events were never caught ?

DS needs immediate and intensive counseling.  He should NOT be allowed in a home with other minor children until this issue has been addressed and a written plan of action is in place.  DH can educate himself to help his son & protect other people. (Besides emotional/physical consequences there are frequently legal consequences.)

Sorry that you all are facing this situation.

notasm3's picture

You do not have to spend one second being concerned about how SS feels.  Your duty is to protect your daughters.

As Rags said forewarned is forearmed.  Your daughters MUST be told that SS has made inappropriate sexual advances toward another person.  You do not have to name who it is if you think you need to protect the victim's privacy.  But SS does not deserve any "protection" at all.  Let him rot.

 Your DH is worried that your daughters will not like SS because of this - well eff that.  SS deserves to be despised.

Harry's picture

Tell your daughters, and not allow SS in your home untill he does some treatments, and he OK by a perfessional to be in your home.   That a start for now 

Winterglow's picture

I suspect that you are also (maybe not consciously so) worried that, by telling your daughters you might get the kind of feedback that you are afraid to hear, i.e. that they have perhaps been assaulted to and haven't dared tell you ... Or  if not, that at least they can now express that they have felt uncomfortable around him for a while. I sincetrely hope this is not but it would be better to know.

Winterglow's picture

Have you told them?