vegannomnom
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas
Mother's state of residence: West Virginia
My mother's been abusive all my life, but I have always tried to stay away from her & ignore her since becoming of age. Into my adulthood she has continued to harass me via voice and text message, but again, I try to ignore. This has come to a head within the last 1 1/2 years, primarily the last 6 months. We quit speaking in December 2015 due to her refusing to acknowledge wrongdoing on her part in a December 2014 visit to my home, which was simply rude behavior but nothing blatantly illegal. Earlier in 2015 she performed some harassing behaviors, such as sending a letter to my child's school teacher, apparently stating concern over home life, and sent me "fact sheets" highlighted in certain areas to insinuate my husband is a child molester, which she had mentioned during the 2014 visit (she is always trying to create drama in my life - misery loves company).
However, within the last two weeks (May 2016) I tried to give her another chance and speak to her, and she then thought I was ignoring her again (simply had not responded to texts for approximately 4 days - texts I thought needed no response), so she sent text messages with malicious intent to my family members stating "I use my daughter as a pawn in an attempt to extort money, etc." from her, when she knows this to be completely untrue - I even have proof that the last time she offered me money (December 2015, to fix my car), I turned her down. She then forwarded this same text message to me, which also called me a "sociopath," among other things.
This has damaged my reputation with my family - as I am miles away and cannot defend myself - and several family members have since severed ties via social media outlets. This is also extremely emotionally upsetting, as she knows I've always struggled with disabling anxiety and depression, and am currently trying to finish college, and I am also afraid the stress could cause me to go into an early labor with my current pregnancy (she found out through family members, who told her about my life situation without my permission, so she knows how much potential damage she could cause). This has been a huge upsetting distraction from my final college semester and causing me severe panic attacks.
I honestly don't know what to do - restraining order? Cease and desist letter? Or full-blown civil harassment suit? She doesn't have a lot of money, only a house and car, so I'm not necessarily seeking monetary damages, I just want this libel and harassment to stop, and wish she would issue some sort of retraction or public apology to restore my reputation within the eyes of my family. As far as evidence I have our entire log of text messages saved, in which I have proof I never asked her for money, and a few voice messages, and emails from my father to me (her ex-husband) detailing her bizarre and malicious behavior over the years and why he left her, etc.
I'm a wreck, thank you for any advice. My friends are telling me to just let this go, but that doesn't seem to be helping the harassment and libel. I don't feel I should have to put up with such distress just because she is miles away. It is indeed very emotionally damaging, as much as I'm trying to just brush it off.
Mother's state of residence: West Virginia
My mother's been abusive all my life, but I have always tried to stay away from her & ignore her since becoming of age. Into my adulthood she has continued to harass me via voice and text message, but again, I try to ignore. This has come to a head within the last 1 1/2 years, primarily the last 6 months. We quit speaking in December 2015 due to her refusing to acknowledge wrongdoing on her part in a December 2014 visit to my home, which was simply rude behavior but nothing blatantly illegal. Earlier in 2015 she performed some harassing behaviors, such as sending a letter to my child's school teacher, apparently stating concern over home life, and sent me "fact sheets" highlighted in certain areas to insinuate my husband is a child molester, which she had mentioned during the 2014 visit (she is always trying to create drama in my life - misery loves company).
However, within the last two weeks (May 2016) I tried to give her another chance and speak to her, and she then thought I was ignoring her again (simply had not responded to texts for approximately 4 days - texts I thought needed no response), so she sent text messages with malicious intent to my family members stating "I use my daughter as a pawn in an attempt to extort money, etc." from her, when she knows this to be completely untrue - I even have proof that the last time she offered me money (December 2015, to fix my car), I turned her down. She then forwarded this same text message to me, which also called me a "sociopath," among other things.
This has damaged my reputation with my family - as I am miles away and cannot defend myself - and several family members have since severed ties via social media outlets. This is also extremely emotionally upsetting, as she knows I've always struggled with disabling anxiety and depression, and am currently trying to finish college, and I am also afraid the stress could cause me to go into an early labor with my current pregnancy (she found out through family members, who told her about my life situation without my permission, so she knows how much potential damage she could cause). This has been a huge upsetting distraction from my final college semester and causing me severe panic attacks.
I honestly don't know what to do - restraining order? Cease and desist letter? Or full-blown civil harassment suit? She doesn't have a lot of money, only a house and car, so I'm not necessarily seeking monetary damages, I just want this libel and harassment to stop, and wish she would issue some sort of retraction or public apology to restore my reputation within the eyes of my family. As far as evidence I have our entire log of text messages saved, in which I have proof I never asked her for money, and a few voice messages, and emails from my father to me (her ex-husband) detailing her bizarre and malicious behavior over the years and why he left her, etc.
I'm a wreck, thank you for any advice. My friends are telling me to just let this go, but that doesn't seem to be helping the harassment and libel. I don't feel I should have to put up with such distress just because she is miles away. It is indeed very emotionally damaging, as much as I'm trying to just brush it off.