“I'm a teenager, and there's an older male relative (in his mid-20s) whose behaviour towards me has always felt uncomfortable. He's touched my knees in ways that didn't feel normal, rubbed my knee with his fingers, and given me unusual physical attention like love bombing me or doing the "hot and cold manipulation" towards me. Once, on my birthday last year probs when I was lying on his bed, he pulled me closer by my stomach, smelled my hair and commented on how good it smelled. I've started feeling uncomfortable even during video calls with him. I don't know if I'm overthinking things, but could this be grooming or some kind of inappropriate behaviour? Its just like a gut feeling..and dude he is married. Before he got married, he showed me a picture of the girl who is now his wife. He kept saying things like he only wanted me, that I was much prettier than her, and compared me to her once like saying "oh yeah theyre mostly just the same thing". I genuinely don't know if he meant it as a joke, but looking back, it makes me uncomfortable. Now he is abroad in uk. Idk Would he change his behaviour when he comes back? I'd genuinely appreciate an outside perspective of what you people think. Also need help figuring this out would mean so much to mee☹️”
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Someone answered with kindness...
He will never change, but only get bolder with his pedophilic behavior. You are not overthinking this. That man is not someone safe or reliable, and has worse intentions in his mind. So sorry that you have someone like this in your life.
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Another soul answered...
Don’t doubt your gut feeling, if your gut says it’s wrong then it is and if you’re uncomfortable by his touch and behaviour it’s very important to establish boundaries because being a part of your family doesn’t mean he has the right to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, pls stay safe and find a safe way for you to speak up if he continues behaving this way because this is genuinely crossing the line. Trust your instinct and keep yourself safe!