What would you do?

Nicki

My DS (8) went to a child's party yesterday, and was hurt by another adult (not the parents of the child who were hosting the party, who didn't see what happened). It isn't clear whether it was just rough horse play or whether the adult was physically chastising him, because she thought he was cheating at a game (He denies he was cheating by the way but may not have understood the rules of the game which he hadn't played before). My son has cuts and bruises across his back, and I've had to report this to his school as otherwise they might think he incurred them at home.

The parents who hosted the party are horrifed and are trying to find out who did this to him, and exactly what happened. If they do identify the person concerned, what action would you take if it was your child?

SugarSpun

I'd make a complaint to the police, and take pictures of the damage to your son's back before it fades.

But I'd also try to find out exactly what happened and if anyone else saw it, because a confused 8 year old isn't going to come off as a better witness than an adult who says "it was an accident".

alwaysonthego_2

as above I would also report it to the police and take photos has evidence

Zazen999

WOW - even if it was an accident or rough horse play - you'd apologise to the lad and to the parents surely??? Cuts and bruises??? That's not on at all.

galvanizersbaby

Blimey! - did anybody else see what happened?

BernadetteN

How do you know an adult has hurt your child? I personally would be vvery cautious about relying on a young child who was probably in the midst of several others. Unless you were there as a witness, I would have thought that it is far too late to be reporting anything to the Police. Yesterday is too late.

alwaysonthego_2

It is not too late to report to the police this incident.

r.mac_2

gosh cuts and bruises souns quite severe. I would want to find out more about what happened first and then consider whether to approach the police. I would take photos for evidence just in case.

I hope that you manage to resolve the situation

Nicki

BernadetteN wrote: »

How do you know an adult has hurt your child? I personally would be vvery cautious about relying on a young child who was probably in the midst of several others. Unless you were there as a witness, I would have thought that it is far too late to be reporting anything to the Police. Yesterday is too late.

His description of what happened was quite unequivocal, but I have spoken to the parents of the child whose party it is this morning, who are speaking to the other children and adults there to try to find out what exactly happened, and the name of the adult involved. His injuries are consistent with what he said happened to him. Also he is 8 and very bright, so although he was shocked by the incident, it's not like he was unable to describe what happened to him. I am absolutely sure that it was an adult who caused this, the only thing I am not at the moment sure of was whether what she did was a joke, which backfired and caused him to be hurt, or whether she was deliberately chastising him because she thought he was cheating at the game.

I'm not sure at the moment whether this is a police matter or not, hence why I asked for other's opinions. However less than 24 hours have elapsed so I am sure it is not too late to make this decision.

shellsuit

Was he upset at the party and did he tell anyone at the party about the incident?

Also, was it just him there when it happened or were there other children/adults about?

galvanizersbaby

Nicki wrote: »

His description of what happened was quite unequivocal, but I have spoken to the parents of the child whose party it is this morning, who are speaking to the other children and adults there to try to find out what exactly happened, and the name of the adult involved. His injuries are consistent with what he said happened to him. Also he is 8 and very bright, so although he was shocked by the incident, it's not like he was unable to describe what happened to him. I am absolutely sure that it was an adult who caused this, the only thing I am not at the moment sure of was whether what she did was a joke, which backfired and caused him to be hurt, or whether she was deliberately chastising him because she thought he was cheating at the game.

I'm not sure at the moment whether this is a police matter or not, hence why I asked for other's opinions. However less than 24 hours have elapsed so I am sure it is not too late to make this decision.

But what did he say actually happened to get all the cuts and bruises on his back?