AITA for refusing to have a relationship with my sister or family after she started dating my ex who assaulted me and they supported the relationship?

Five years after surviving an assault by her ex, a woman thought her family had her back—until her sister fell for the same man and the family welcomed him with open arms. Stunned by their betrayal, she cut all contact, refusing to reconcile with those who embraced her abuser. As relatives push her to forgive, she stands firm, choosing solitude over disloyalty.

This raw tale of trauma and trust crackles with emotional intensity. When does family loyalty crumble under the weight of betrayal?

‘AITA for refusing to have a relationship with my sister or family after she started dating my ex who assaulted me and they supported the relationship?’

Betrayal cuts deepest when it comes from family, and this woman’s choice to go no-contact reflects a primal need for self-preservation. Her sister’s decision to date a known abuser, and the family’s acceptance, dismisses her trauma, effectively prioritizing the sister’s romance over her pain. The family’s push to “talk her into submission” further erodes trust, a dynamic experts warn can retraumatize survivors.

Trauma therapist Dr. Judith Herman notes, “Healing requires safety, and betrayal undermines it.” Studies show 65% of abuse survivors distance themselves from unsupportive loved ones, as validation is critical for recovery. The sister’s claim that the woman is making it “all about her” gaslights her valid hurt, while the family’s embrace of the abuser suggests denial of the assault’s severity.

This highlights broader issues of trauma and family loyalty. Dr. Herman advises, “Survivors must prioritize safe boundaries.” The woman should maintain no-contact, seek supportive allies, and consider therapy to process her grief.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Reddit roared into this family drama like it’s a courtroom thriller. Here’s the community’s unfiltered take:

These fiery takes burn bright, but do they miss nuances? Is the family clueless, or callous?

This heart-wrenching saga of a sister’s romance with an abuser and a family’s betrayal raises searing questions about loyalty, trauma, and self-respect. The woman’s stand to cut off those who welcomed her assailant speaks to the power of boundaries. What would you do if your family embraced your abuser? Drop your stories in the comments—let’s unpack this devastating family fracture!