What would you do if you know for sure a child is being abused and goes to the same school your child does?

Question

Canam: Hi my cyber friend...thank you so much for your answer. :-) I do want to let you know that this is just a hypathetical question. I'm just mainly concerned for children out there, that feel too afraid to say anything and just wondering what others have done or would do in this type of situation.

Answer 1

As a mandated reporter, I can tell you this. Once you call CPS there is not much more you can do. I dont know what kind of abuse you are referring to. IF it is physical, the school should notice that. If it is emotional, that is much harder to prove. If you know for sure someone is being abused, you could call CPS. If you know someone else who knows about it, have them report it to CPS also. If nothing is done consider writing a letter to the editor. You will not be able to name names, but it will put the spotlight on CPS. The saddest part is that, kids who are abused do not usually want to leave their abusers. Sometimes it can cause them more stress than the abuse. When you call CPS, they will know if they have been called before about this child, but it seems CPS is more of a paper system than anything else. Even when they remove a child from the home, they often give them back in 6 months, so the one who is getting punished is the child. I do hope the case you refer to turns out ok.

Answer 2

That book brought me to tears...I can't imagine a mother doing that to her own child!

However, there is nothing more you could do except report it to the authorities.  I work in a daycare and we have had to call DCFS too many times about suspected child abuse.  It kills me to know I can't do anymore than that though.  I even had to go to court once to try to have a child taken from her mother.  Luckily in that case, the judge agreed and she was put into a foster home.  As soon as I got back to work I just cried and cried.

Answer 3

If a child's life is in immediate danger, and you know that by sending it to it's home, that the child will be in danger, immediately call not only the police, but CPS.  I have a friend who works for CPS, and her biggest time waster is ex's and jealous people who make false accusations, but the kids that actually do need help often don't get it because people don't want to get involved.  Kids need the help, as those that are abused are often threatened with worse abuse if they tell anyone.  It's one of the reasons doctors, teachers, nurses, daycare workers, foster parents, and other people who work with children are mandated abuse reporters.  You would not be able to keep the child, because at that point, CPS will interview the child, and the parents, and depending on the findings, the child might be returned to the parents or placed in foster care.  If it's a "small" abuse, like a hair pulling, that the child doesn't get taken immediately, but it's enough that you believe the child needs help, photograph it, and date it, and keep a record, which could later be used in court in the event that the child is undergoing constant abuse.  Also, remember that mental abuse is just as bad and often worse than physical abuse.  It is very important that kids have friends and family that stand up for them.  Also, what your child tells you in confidence often needs to be reported for the other child's safety.  

I worry about your thought processes though, and hopefully, you'll never meet a child that actually needs help.  I've reported 2 cases of child abuse that I knew were going on, but because I didn't see it myself, and one child knew he'd be in worse trouble if his mother found out he told, that he wouldn't tell the case worker himself.  He ended up in an ER with several broken bones because of abuse one time and was eventually taken away, 5 years later.  I knew more people had seen what was going on, and it angers me that he had to put up with that much abuse before being taken away.

Answer 4

It's a sad thing but you just have to sit back and let law enforcement step in.  Taking matters into your own hands could land you in trouble.

Answer 5

"A Child Called It" I have read it at least 4 times. Each time I SOB. It makes my heart HURT just thinking about it right now, That little boy David is My Hero...talk about True Spirit of the Human Heart and a Will to Survive and Then to Forgive. He NEVER allowed his heart to acknowledge that his 'Mother" didn't love him...A child's Heartfelt NEED to have it's Mothers Love is so Primal, So Deep and he was Denied

by his very own "mother"!

You know Bell you pose a question I'm sure Many of us have thought about many times...What would we do if we found out a child was being abused? Our DEEP Mothering Instincts Scream RESCUE, then we Wonder, what happens if we report this and this child is taken away just to be returned to the abusive 'Family"by a Broken Down System..will it be worse for this child? Am I helping or would I be making it worse? What are we as Loving Caring Citizens(parents) to do...I know cases such as the one written about in 'A Child Called It" make me HAVE to go and HUG and KISS my Babies...I LOVE THEM SO!~~Aloha to you My Bell,Much Love~~

Answer 6

My mom has read the same book that Heart's in 808 read. I found it at the local library and my mom couldn't even finish the book. His was being abused by his alcoholic mother.

I'm 13, and I have NEVER witnessed another kid my age being abused. If I did, I would report it.