Contacting Social Services

LegacyUser

I think my niece is being abused by her stepfather. It might just be my paranoia, but I haven't concocted this up in my head. If I don't report it, I know I'll regret it, especially if it turns out to be true. The problem is, I don't know the number for Social Services, I looked up the website, would it be under Family Affairs? I also don't want anyone to know I did it, does anyone know what else I need to bear in mind?

gamblitis

What age is your niece and how close are you two? You could possibly have a chat with her first and maybe get her to confide in you if anything is happening in the house. If so then just call the guards and ask for a contact in Social Services. That would be the way i'd go. Maybe your just noticing changes in her attitude and if she is a teenager these could just be hormonal and your reading too much in to it.

Go-Go-Gadget

Its a very serious alligation but one that needs to be checked up upon incase there is ANY shred of a possibility.

Contact the ISPCC:

http://www.ispcc.ie/

or call their child focus line to get advice on 01 676 7960

Trinity

Have you spoken to your nieces mother? Is it your sister?

I understand if you bring it up with your sister it will be obvious it was you if you then report to social services but this is a very serious allegation taht will tear the family apart whether its true or not.

You need to either get soem damn good evidence or talk to the mother.

What makes you think this? If you noticed why didnt the childs mother, if she is still around?

Dont speak to the child directly about abuse, you will be accused of putting words into her mouth.

If you are right i am very very happy that you noticed and are acting on it, i'm just saying thread carefully, but dont let it go without further investigation one way or another.

LegacyUser

gamblitis wrote: »

What age is your niece and how close are you two? You could possibly have a chat with her first and maybe get her to confide in you if anything is happening in the house. If so then just call the guards and ask for a contact in Social Services. That would be the way i'd go. Maybe your just noticing changes in her attitude and if she is a teenager these could just be hormonal and your reading too much in to it.

She's five and we're very close. I sat down with her once when she had a bruise on her face and she told me her stepdad pushed her against her toybox, which contradicted what we were told, that she fell against the washing machine. Now her mother's in hospital with internal bleeding, having fallen a few weeks back.

Nevyn

You need to make a report to your local social workers.
They will be based in your local health clinic.
Look up the number for the clinic and ask to be transfered to them.

Any report made under the child welfare act is considered to be anon and they will divulge who made the report. Chances are they will ask you to call in to see them and make a report in person.

Once such a report is made they have to respond and call to the home with in something like 24 hours
and start their investigation.

You don't need to talk to the mother of the child before making a report.

Miss Fluff

What age is the child OP? Why do you suspect this is happening?

Nevyn

scared17 wrote: »

She's five and we're very close. I sat down with her once when she had a bruise on her face and she told me her stepdad pushed her against her toybox, which contradicted what we were told, that she fell against the washing machine. Now her mother's in hospital with internal bleeding, having fallen a few weeks back.

Please make a report as soon as possible.

Trinity

scared17 wrote: »

She's five and we're very close. I sat down with her once when she had a bruise on her face and she told me her stepdad pushed her against her toybox, which contradicted what we were told, that she fell against the washing machine. Now her mother's in hospital with internal bleeding, having fallen a few weeks back.

I'm sorry I assumed you meant sexually abused. its neither here nor there abuse is abuse i jsut meant dont ask her directly was anyone touching her etc or you will be accused of puttin words into her mouth.

I still feel you should talk to the mother. If she wont protect herself the least she can do is protect her children.

gamblitis

As Thaedydal said report this straight away. There is def something going on. Get in contact with somone now.

Trinity

Thread carefully and keep a close eye. One bruise is not enough proof of abuse even though one may be enough for people to act, you run the risk of ruining the family, parents under investigation, kids even being taken into foster care!

There is still a chance that he may not be abusing anyone, so you need to build up more of a case before going to officials. I dont think you can stay anonymous btw, to warrant them investigating they are going to need to use your statement, which again at the moment is one bruise that a 5 yr old says he gave her. She could be telling the truth but wheels wont start turning on that one statement. She will be seen by a psychologist and everything.

Oryx

gamblitis wrote: »

As Thaedydal said report this straight away. There is def something going on.

No one knows this for sure yet.

My daughter told us granny hit her with a hammer, kids get mixed up and exaggerate, so dont go in all guns blazing. This man could be an abuser, but he could be innocent, so as has been said, tread carefully.

But yes, do mention it to someone, at least so you have done something.

Miss Fluff

I have an extremely vivid imagination and come from a really loving, close, adoring family. Apparently when I was four I told my Gran that my Dad beat the sh1t out of my Mum. They love one another and rarely have a cross word - it was complete and utter fabrication. Dig deeper OP, the consequences of going ahead with this and the guy being completely innocent has huge repurcussions. Obviously you need to do something if this is going on, but try and gather more info before going ahead with this.

meditraitor

scared17 wrote: »

I think my niece is being abused by her stepfather. It might just be my paranoia, but I haven't concocted this up in my head. If I don't report it, I know I'll regret it, especially if it turns out to be true. The problem is, I don't know the number for Social Services, I looked up the website, would it be under Family Affairs? I also don't want anyone to know I did it, does anyone know what else I need to bear in mind?

You need to be sure of this. I would advise you to go to your parents first and discuss it before you making accusations that will end your relationship with your sister(im presuming its your sister and her daughter from a previous relationship) forever if proven untrue.

Thread carefully.

spurious

If she appears in school with repeated bruising the teachers are obliged to report it.

Trinity

Oryx wrote: »

No one knows this for sure yet.

My daughter told us granny hit her with a hammer, kids get mixed up and exaggerate, so dont go in all guns blazing. This man could be an abuser, but he could be innocent, so as has been said, tread carefully.

But yes, do mention it to someone, at least so you have done something.

My sister came back from playschool when very young, (shes 24 now), and said the nuns tied her to the cot and gagged her. My own son has fabricated stories also. Its a fine line with kids.

Wibbs

minidazzler regardless of the strength of your feelings on this matter, advocating violence is against the charter of this forum. Only warning.

CDfm

the best advice i have seen here is speak to your parents

and that means both of them

there is a wbsite www.parentalequality.ie that deals with grandparents rights and they have a helpline but i dont know it