Child Abuse Claims

LegacyUser

I don't know where to start here. My niece (15) has made claim that her mother’s boyfriend has been sexually abusing her since she was 12. I feel completely sick, and worst of all not completely shocked as this guy is a low life alcoholic. She's just shard this with me today and her mother will not answer the phone to me. The child is currently staying with friends. All she has told me is that she's told the gards and she has to go to hospital for tests tomorrow. If anyone can give me any information or links describing the process & next steps here that would be great. I really would like to have some idea what these tests will tell & what the guards are going to do next. Should I be trying to move her out of this town where he still lives (hopefully not still with her mum!!) or does that matter. We live a about an hour away.

Also, and please don't judge me for this question, what are the consequences for her if she's found to be making a false claim? I’m not suggesting that she is, however she is a teenage girl whose main focus is her social life and money at the moment, and like most teenagers, can tell real whoppers of lies. I would never suggest to her that she is, I just want to know for my own piece of mind what could happen to her if she is.

baby and crumble

Hey OP.

I think the most important thing here is to be unconditionally there for your niece. If I were you I wouldn't even entertain the idea that she's not telling the truth. She needs to know that there's someone in her corner. No doubt her Mum will be conflicted (to say the least) and it doesn't bode well that she wont answer the phone, and that your niece is staying with friends. Sounds like she might have made her decision as to who she believes.

You can ring the National Counselling Service- connect counselling- they are open weds-sunday, and they are there to support people who have been abused, or those who are in turn supporting people who have been abused.

http://www.connectcounselling.ie/

1800 477 477. I'm sure they can help you with your questions. AT the very least they'll help you find someone who can.

Your niece will need a lot of help to work through being abused, and having an adult she can trust is vital.

IF her claim is false the very least that would happen would be ripping her family apart and causing major strife for no reason. She could get a caution/ something about wasting Garda time. I don't know, as she is 15.

But please try not to think about it. Far more people who make claims have been abused than not. I think it's very brave of your niece to tell someone about it.

Doogieboogie

Found this, it might be helpful - the rest of that site will help you get help for your niece.

LegacyUser

Hi, just to add to other replies...

If there are other children in the home they should be protected from this alleged abuser, they need to be moved asap. Them and any other children he has contact with.

Best of luck, your niece is lucky to have someone looking out for her