AITA for calling the cops on my dad's wife after she slapped my brother?

They say karma never misses, and in this case, it came full circle. OP (15F) and her brother (17M) always knew their father cheated on their mother with his current wife, breaking apart their family. They never had a good relationship with her or their half-siblings, but they endured forced visits every other weekend.

Then, the inevitable happened—Dad cheated again. His wife found out he got another woman pregnant, and chaos ensued. But when she tried to get sympathy from OP and her brother, she got a reality check instead. After hearing some brutal words from the brother, she slapped him, and OP wasted no time calling the cops. Now, everything is spiraling, and OP is wondering: Was calling the police the right move, or did they go too far?

‘AITA for calling the cops on my dad’s wife after she slapped my brother?’

Expert Analysis:

The Psychology of Infidelity: Why the “Other Woman” Never Wins

Affairs rarely end well. Studies show that relationships that begin with infidelity have a significantly higher chance of ending in divorce, as trust issues and patterns of betrayal persist.

According to Dr. Frank Pittman, a psychologist specializing in marriage counseling, people who cheat in one relationship are three times more likely to cheat again.

The dad’s wife thought she was “special.” She wasn’t. The same betrayal she helped create came right back to her, proving that if they cheat with you, they’ll cheat on you.

The Slap: When Emotional Reactions Cross the Line

OP’s brother’s words were brutal, but they were also true. The wife, however, escalated things to violence. In legal terms, slapping someone—even in an argument—is assault.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, any physical retaliation in response to words is considered physical abuse and can lead to criminal charges. The fact that this happened in front of multiple witnesses (including minors) makes it even more serious.

If OP had not called the police, this incident might have been swept under the rug. But by reporting it, they ensured that violence and emotional outbursts wouldn’t be excused.

Can She Lose Custody Over This?

A major concern is whether the dad’s wife could lose custody of her children. The answer? It depends.

A single slap might not be enough for immediate removal of her kids, but it does create a record of violent behavior.
If further incidents occur, child protective services could intervene.
Showing up at OP’s house and continuing to escalate the situation could be considered harassment.

According to FindLaw, repeated incidents of violence or instability can be used in custody hearings to limit a parent’s rights.

OP and her brother were right to document this. If she loses custody, it will be because of her own actions, not because OP called the police.

Lessons Learned & Moving Forward

Affairs Rarely Have Happy Endings – The dad’s wife learned the hard way that if someone cheats with you, they’ll cheat on you. Trust built on betrayal doesn’t last.
Violence is Never Justified – No matter how angry or hurt someone is, physical retaliation is still assault. OP’s brother’s words may have been harsh, but they did not warrant a slap.
Calling the Cops Was the Right Move – Many people downplay family violence, but having a legal record of abuse protects victims in the long run. OP’s actions ensured there was accountability.
OP’s Mom Should Reevaluate Custody – If OP and her brother don’t feel safe at their father’s house, they should not be forced to go. Their mom might have grounds to modify custody agreements.

Here’s what Redditors had to say:

Redditors overwhelmingly agreed: OP was NTA. Many pointed out the irony of the wife now crying for sympathy when she had no issue destroying OP’s family in the past. Others noted that violence is never justified, no matter how hurt she was.

Some users even suggested OP’s mother pursue legal action to stop forced visits to their father’s house, considering the hostile environment. Others just enjoyed the poetic justice of the whole situation.