I was thinking of getting some telephone counselling. When I stood up for myself they would more often than not make jokes and deride me. But I realised he was a young man with insecurities and I hoped he would change. When it was apparent he wouldn't I left. Women let men get away with more than we should and we make excuses for them. In the UK women get imprisoned for not paying their TV licence when they are living in poverty where as men do much worse and commit violent crimes and get a slap on the wrist or community service.