Report concerns about a woman and child to Social Services

LandofPlenty

Sorry this is under a different name. I would probably be too easily identified if I asked this on my normals profile.

Is it possible to report concerns about a woman who seems to be living in a DV partnership albeit mainly mental abuse not physical.

Don't want to waste anyone's time if it's futile.

lincroft1710

There is nothing to stop you reporting this. But before you took this step, you should be very sure that your allegations are well-founded, and you should consider all the possible consequences of your actions.

TiddlyPom

I think if there is a child involved and you feel that your concerns could be genuine, I would definitely report it. If you are wrong and everything is ok, there is no harm done.

WantToBeSE

I agree that if you think the woman or child are at risk, you should report the DV to the authorities.

spadoosh

TiddlyPom wrote: »

I think if there is a child involved and you feel that your concerns could be genuine, I would definitely report it. If you are wrong and everything is ok, there is no harm done.

I wouldnt be so sure on that one. A lengthy investigation, potentially children being removed questions about who reported it, mistrust etc. I would say there could be a large amount of harm done if its reported and everything is OK.

Personally i'd only report it if i was certain abuse (in the harshest sense of the word) was taking place and that i thought the person abused wasnt capable of reporting it themselves.

Abuse is pretty ambiguous.

Detroit

Unless the adult woman is vulnerable there is unlikely to be any intervention regarding her.

If you are concerned about a child, you should always report it.

piglet74

Report it, let the professionals investigate it

Wouldn't you rather report it and be wrong. Than not report it and have been right.

AlwaysWorking

spadoosh wrote: »

Personally i'd only report it if i was certain abuse (in the harshest sense of the word) was taking place and that i thought the person abused wasnt capable of reporting it themselves.

No offence, buy I am VERY glad not everyone thinks like you. Do you really think only abuse "in the harshest sense of the word" needs reporting?

spadoosh

AlwaysWorking wrote: »

No offence, buy I am VERY glad not everyone thinks like you. Do you really think only abuse "in the harshest sense of the word" needs reporting?

I just dont think its for me to report on something ive probably got little understanding about. I would want to be absolutely certain that abuse was taking place and that i didnt think the person you where reporting on behalf of wasnt capable of making that decision.

Abuse is subjective, ie different people have different views on abuse. What you might think is domestic abuse in its variants might be one side giving as good as they take. Its all well and good saying no harm no foul but when its your family being investigated and police/councilors coming round to your house you might think differently.

I know two people who have spent an evening in jail trying to stop domestic abuse (on both occasions the man was battering the woman). When a friend intervened the woman went to defend her man and the 2v1 argument stood. A long drawn out court case and charges of GBH because someone stepped in to stop a woman getting beaten up (the guy uses restraining tactics rather than assaulting ie no punch throwing). The other instance was a similar situation however my friend got asked to leave the isle of man and that he wouldnt be welcome back.

I wouldnt suggest not reporting domestic abuse but if you are going to, you should be certain its absolutely clear cut otherwise you risk destroying an innocent family because youve decided there is abuse from the tiny snippets of information you might get about their relationship.

TBagpuss

If you think that the child is at immediate risk of serious harm, then report it. Try to be as specific as you can about your concerns.

however, if the situation relats to emotional abuse of an adult partner then Social Services would not normally be able to become involved.

If the woman is a friend of yours then it might be more effective, and more likely to help her, if you talk to her directly - not to tell her you think her relationship is abusive but to keep communications open, offer herthe opportunity to talk if she neds it and be ready to support her if and when she decides she wants to change things. It's very common for an abusive partner to isolate thier victim and to undermine their self-confidence so simply being the friend who doesn't let themself be sidelined can be very helpful.

Gavin83

What makes you think abuse is taking place?