reporting child abuse

is it ever too late to do that, or attempt it when you know of two kids that were abused by their step dad, and the mother stays with the man?

And not to mention living in different country's.

Call your local Child Protection Service and ask. It can't hurt to ask.

Cheers,

Jan

what if anxiety is getting in the way of that an panic?
I emailed a child-safe site.. waiting to hear back from them.

http://hrw.org/children/about.htm

Sundance..this looks like a good place to get the right info. Hope that it helps!!

thanks dottie i'll bookmark it and have a look around

You can always make an abuse report. but depending on the situation the report may not be acted on for example the child may have grown up. (statue of limitations is that the abused must report within a certain timeframe after remembering the abuse..) , or the person that did the abusing got help and is no longer abusing, the person who abused may still be in the other parents life but has moved out of the home and no longer has contact with the children, Also many times an abuse situation has happened but there is no proof -too much time gone by no bruises and children say nothing happened so children services are unable to do anything. Basically in order for the abuse report to be acted on and prosecuted there must be proof (recent bruising and so forth) and testimony from more than one source that they witnessed (were there during the abuse) the abuse. otherwise the children will be given back to the parents. The states cannot tell someone who they may date and who they can and can't live with. Here in the states the mother can date or live with this guy if she chooses. If there is proof the person who makes an abuse report and upon investigation the proof turns up the person who reported must testify in court because here in the states anyone under arrest and prosecution has the right to face their accuser during trial unless the accuser is a child and then in certain situations the judge interviews the child and decides if the child can testify on tape instead of in the court room.

The child is not grown, maybe 10 or less.

He is supposed to get help, but dunno if it will stop.
The parent is still living in the house...

The proof is that the children said it did, and the mother said it, i think he admitted to it as well..

There wouldn't be brusing for what he did.

This is in the UK....

I think that you should be able to report it. I just reported child abuse yesterday for something that happened a month ago. I'm not sure how things work in the UK since I'm in the USA.

They might get all snippy at you for reporting it so long after the fact, like if you wait a month, but it'll get in the system.

Good luck with this.

It's been a couple of months, since before Christmas is when I heard.
Likely screwed myself on that one. I'm in Canada, a bit far from the UK.

if you contact the social services in the area were the child lives they normaly act on the best interest of the child not the parents , each town city has a social service office mine helped get my daughter educated so i know were mine are , the child should be put on a at risk register, if i can be of any more help please feel free to ask
katheryn

In Canada there is no statue of limitations for indictable offenses (like child abuse), and since the Canadian system is based on the British system it is probably the same. In any case if it is possible that the abuse is still occuring than time frame is probably irrelevent when reporting. Any allegations of abuse of a minor, current or in the past (when I was 17, I told my T, and she had to report, even though it was over years before) will result in a report to Child Protective Services and the police who will decide what to do. At that point it won't be your responsability anymore.

I was told that just by letting them know of this it will be in the reports, so if anything arises god forbid, something will be done about it.. As i'm hoping because when this guy admitted to it, he never even got ARRESTED!

Sometimes that stuff happens. I remember when I was younger my stepdad got off scott-free for molesting me and my sis...and the caseworkers even believed us over him!

Even though we were believed and he did eventually confess, they did nothing to him. Unfortunately all too often (IMO) the guilty ones go free while the innocent are left to suffer.

I hope that this helps....

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect......

Deciding whether to report suspected child abuse can be a difficult and confusing process; yet, it is the crucial first step in protecting a child who might be in danger.

In most states, professionals who work with children in any capacity are identified as “mandated reporters” and are required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect. And, in approximately 18 states, any citizen who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected is mandated to report.1

No matter your state laws, it is the responsibility of all individuals and community members not just mandated reporters to report suspected maltreatment of any child.

Why don’t some people report child abuse and neglect?

Among the most frequently identified reasons for not reporting are lack of knowledge about child abuse and neglect and lack of familiarity about state reporting laws. Other reasons people don’t report include:

Fear or unwillingness to “get involved”
Fear that a report will “make things worse for the child"
Reluctance to risk angering the family
Concern that making a report will negatively impact an existing relationship with the child
Belief that someone else will speak up
Although these feelings are understandable, they are not grounds for not reporting. Lack of action on your part could lead to dire consequences for the child and the child’s family. It even could result in serious harm or death of the child that might otherwise have been prevented.

What can you do if you believe a child is being abused or neglected?

Report, report, report. Everyone has the right and responsibility to report any incidence of suspected child abuse at any time. Actual knowledge of abuse is not required; all you need is “reasonable cause, suspicion, or belief” based on your observations. Information to support your concern may include your firsthand observations or beliefs, your professional training or experience, or statements made by the child or parent.

Having only limited information about your suspicion should not prevent you from making a report. Remember, you do not have to be “right” in your suspicions; you simply need to have a heightened and rational concern for the safety and well-being of a child.

Also, all states have laws that protect reporters from legal liability as long as reports are made in “good faith.”

Who do you call? And then what happens?

To report suspected abuse or neglect, contact your local child protective agency, which, depending on where you live, might be called Social Services, Children and Family Services, or Human Welfare. If you feel that the child is in an emergency situation, however, call your local law enforcement agency immediately.

The person who responds to your call will ask you several questions in order to provide the investigative team with sufficient information. Keep in mind, you do not need to know all the answers to make a report;you just need to be as comprehensive, specific, and clear as possible. Following are a few questions you may be asked:

What is your name, address, and telephone number?
What is your relationship to the child?
What is the child’s name, age, and address? If you don't know the answers to this question, you can provide descriptive information that will enable investigators to locate the child.
What is the suspected abuser’s name, relationship to the child, and address or license plate number?
What is the child’s parents’ names, address, and telephone number?
Describe the type of abuse, when it occurred, and your reasons for suspecting abuse.
What is the current location of the child?
What is your assessment of the child’s current level of safety?
What can you tell us about the child’s siblings and any related safety concerns?
What are the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of other witnesses?
Has the child presented with other suspicious injuries before?
Although anonymous reports can be made in every state, child welfare agencies generally discourage anonymity for many reasons. One, knowing the identity of the reporter can help the child welfare worker gather information during the investigative process to ensure the child’s safety. Two, if the case goes to trial, the child welfare worker may need to rely on the reporter to be a crucial evidentiary witness.

Unfortunately, many child welfare agencies are severely underfunded and understaffed. Typically, reports of child abuse and neglect are prioritized based on whether the child is in immediate risk or danger. Be patient. You may have to call more than once.

Who investigates complaints of child abuse and neglect?

The state or county agency that provides child protective services has the legal authority and obligation “to explore, study, and evaluate” reports of child abuse and neglect and to provide services when needed. During the early investigation stage, child welfare workers are responsible for determining:

Whether abuse or neglect has likely occurred
Whether there is immediate danger or risk to the child
What the motivation, capacity, and intent of the alleged perpetrator is
What the ability of a non-offending caregiver is to protect
the child in the immediate future
If the child is in immediate danger, the child welfare worker may place him or her under emergency protective services, which may include in-home support and supervision or the temporary removal of the child to a safe alternative
environment (e.g., with other family members or in foster care). If the child is removed from the home under these circumstances, the court and family must be notified and an emergency/temporary custody review hearing must be held, typically within 48 to 72 hours.2

If the child welfare worker determines that there are safety concerns yet it is safe to leave the child in the home the worker is responsible for creating a plan to keep the child safe in that environment and for organizing or providing any needed support for the child and the family. Support may come from a variety of sources, including extended family, local community organizations, and child protective services.

What happens to the child and family if a report is substantiated?

After a more comprehensive assessment, the child welfare worker must determine whether abuse or neglect occurred. If the allegations of abuse or neglect are substantiated, the child protection agency and/or courts will evaluate the case and determine what level of intervention is necessary. Interventions are dependent on the severity of the circumstances and may include voluntary assistance and services, court-ordered supervision and services, out-of-home placement, and as a last and complicated intervention termination of parental rights.

If a court orders the child to be removed from the home and placed under the supervision of the child welfare agency, two important federal laws come to bear. Both the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (P. L. 105-89) and the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 (P. L. 96-272) legally mandate child welfare workers to make “reasonable efforts” to reunite the family whenever possible and establish timeframes for achieving this goal or another permanency solution. If, after a thorough investigation, it is determined that the child is in need of substitute care, the child may go to live with other relatives or in an alternate care arrangement (e.g., foster care), until it is determined that the child is no longer in danger in the home or until services can be provided for the child and family to ensure the child’s safety.

In some cases, it is necessary for law enforcement to file criminal child abuse charges, depending on the nature and severity of the abuse or neglect. The range of legal penalties for child maltreatment varies from therapy for the perpetrator to incarceration.

Will you be able to find out what happens to the child?

One difficult conflict arises with the reporter’s desire or need to know the outcome of the report, versus the family’s right to privacy and confidentiality. Usually, if you are a family friend, neighbor, or relative, and not part of the child welfare professional community, you will not receive detailed information about the report.

The child welfare agency may let you know whether the circumstances have been evaluated and whether the case has been opened for further investigation. Many times, however, child welfare agencies are overburdened with high caseloads and too many time demands and thus are unable to report whether the allegations were substantiated. You may request information regarding the status of your report if the agency does not provide it voluntarily.

In some states, professionals who are mandated to report are provided greater detail due to their continued legal obligation, role in assisting or treating the child, and ability to monitor conditions that might further endanger the child. Thus, most state laws entitle mandated reporters to be informed of the findings of the investigation and the services being provided to protect the child.

What happens if you report and the case is unsubstantiated?

While only a small percentage of reports turn out to be deliberately false, some cases become classified as “unsubstantiated,” which means there was not sufficient information regarding the allegation or the identity of the family to confirm abuse or neglect based on the state’s legal criteria. Some cases are classified as unsubstantiated if no court action was taken and voluntary services were provided to the child. Criteria for substantiation vary among states because there is no uniform national system for case reporting.

If you are unsure of the legal and societal definitions of abuse or neglect in your community, contact your local child welfare agency for information.

Knowing how, when, and what to report about child abuse and neglect may make a life or death difference for a child.

JMT

Thank you...

I've gone ahead and made contact from a man in the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

He is concerned with the kids in this situation. I was able to get a last name and forward it to him.
Now i'm panicky and freaked out, as I've never done this before and I'm scared, of what they will do when they find out..

I admire your bravery. I know this is tough and anxious for you, but I'm glad you did the right thing. You put the needs of those children before your own needs and that's a noble thing.

Thank you justben...

I hope it helps them, and that i'm doing this for nothing.
I'm scared cause she is around, and he is around places I am.

It's nerve wrecking.. so having a glass of wine in this late afternoon, hopefully it stays down.

I reported someone for child sexual abuse, many years after it happened. They did investigate, due to the circumstances, despite it being far past the statute of limitations for prosecution. They didn't do much, but they did check enough to make sure that no other girls were in danger.

Thank you, Sundance, for reporting this abuse. Speaking as someone who was emotionally and sexually abused as a child, I appreciate it that you are helping these children. I will thank you for them.

I can understand your fear, but the good news is that reporting is usually anonymous, in that the police usually don't give out the name. In my case, the guy knew who turned him in, which was because I was reporting my own abuse, and he knew whom he had abused when. But if you're not a party to the abuse, these people probably won't figure out who it is.

Good luck, and thank you again.