Should they have done something?

Question

My parents have been divorced for ten years and seven years ago my mother remarried. She and my stepdad are sometimes verbally and physically abusive of me and my brother (who has mild autism and doesn't understand what they're doing is wrong).

On the last day of school, I wrote a story about a girl who was mistreated by her mother which was kind of autobiographical and I gave it to a teacher and I hoped the teacher or the principal would ask me if something was wrong. I felt guilty, I guess, and I didn't want to just tell, because it was hard for me, and I know it's stupid, but I wanted someone to ask. So on the last day of school, the principal asked, but my stepdad was in the outer office and I thought he would hear me talking and get really mad and it would be worse for me, so I got scared and said nothing was wrong. Both the teacher and the principal said they didn't believe me and I didn't sound very convincing and my body language was telling them something was wrong, and then they asked again. I shook my head and then they told me to go, and no one followed up on anything, and I ruined the chance I had to tell. But should the teacher or principal have followed up on it or made a report? Was I wrong in writing the story?

Answer 1

Please be aware that your teacher and principal may have done something - what they were supposed to do - which was contact your local DCYF (Department of Children, Youths and Families).  This would constitute making a report.  Unfortunately, so many DCYFs are poorly run or already have huge case loads that things don't get done as quickly as they should.  Also, because these kinds of things are confidential there would be no notice to you that they made a report.  Sometimes it can take months before a referral is followed up on.  Be aware - while your teacher and principal may have wanted to do more, they can't.  It is simply their job is to report.   If they did more they may put your "case" in jeopardy.

It was not wrong for you to write the story AT ALL!  I think you should re-approach your principal, or teacher.  They already know something is up so you wouldn't have to re-tell the whole story.  It will be easier to start, "Remember that story I wrote last year?"  and then share what is going on.  

You need to do this for you, and if not for you, think of your brother.  Realize that things might get worse before they get better, but in the long run your safety and your brother's safety will be taken care of.

Best wishes and luck to you.

Answer 2

If they suspected abuse, they were required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities (called DCFS where I live).  Maybe, though, between the fictional story and your repeated denials, they decided that there had not been any abuse.  What they did was probably not the right conclusion, but you were expecting them repeatedly to be mind readers, and that can confuse anyone.

Answer 3

Well do you have any other relatives that you'd prefer to live with?  If so, then tell them about what's going on, and maybe they could fight for legal custody of you.

Answer 4

YOU WERE NOT WRONG FOR TELLIMG YOUR STORY AND YES THE TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL SHOULD HAVE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. IF THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSLER AT SCHOOL. DO NOT BE AFRAID! JUST CAUSE YOUR A KID DOES NOT MEAN YOU DO NOT HAVE A VOICE KEEP TALKING UNTIL SOMEONE HEARS YOU! GOD BLESS