Witnessing abuse - what do you do? - Page 2

[hotmamacita]

Originally Posted by MrsMike

I'm not sure what to do. There was a client at my job today who was seen beating his child, screaming at him and threatening to break his arms off. The child had knocked a small shelf off the wall - no big deal to us - and his father proceeded to beat the living crap out of him. The child huddled up and covered himself to protect himself from the blows. The father was also heard threatening the child, verbally abusing him and telling him that if he touched anything else he would break his arms. And then he beat him again. I was not there when this happened. They told me about it when I arrived at work a few hours later. Quite a few of my co-workers witnessed this event. Everyone was shaken and sickened by it. They're all very upset. I asked what they did about it. Answer: nothing. No call to the police. Nothing. Management will not allow anyone to say anything about it. We could get in trouble if we try to report it. So now everyone who witnessed it won't report it. I'm so upset. I wanted to vomit when I heard about it. If I had been there...I can assure you I would have been fired today. I feel like I can't refrain from trying to do something now that I know about it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Oh my word. I would have gotten fired. I have stepped in each I have witnessed abuse to a child. I still have a woman who is 'after' me because I stepped in and pulled her off her daughter.

In your situation, I would report it. I would get as many details as I could and report it asap.

[hotmamacita]

Originally Posted by MrsMike

I'm not sure what to do. There was a client at my job today who was seen beating his child, screaming at him and threatening to break his arms off. The child had knocked a small shelf off the wall - no big deal to us - and his father proceeded to beat the living crap out of him. The child huddled up and covered himself to protect himself from the blows. The father was also heard threatening the child, verbally abusing him and telling him that if he touched anything else he would break his arms. And then he beat him again. I was not there when this happened. They told me about it when I arrived at work a few hours later. Quite a few of my co-workers witnessed this event. Everyone was shaken and sickened by it. They're all very upset. I asked what they did about it. Answer: nothing. No call to the police. Nothing. Management will not allow anyone to say anything about it. We could get in trouble if we try to report it. So now everyone who witnessed it won't report it. I'm so upset. I wanted to vomit when I heard about it. If I had been there...I can assure you I would have been fired today. I feel like I can't refrain from trying to do something now that I know about it. Any advice would be appreciated.

Oh my word. I would have gotten fired. I have stepped in each time I have witnessed abuse to a child. I still have a woman who is 'after' me because I stepped in and pulled her off her daughter.

In your situation, I would report it. I would get as many details as I could and report it asap.

[hotmamacita]

I just read the replies.

Glad you followed your heart on this Mrs. Mike. That child needs intervention a.s.a.p. I hope CPS does not mess things up. Keep us posted if you can.

[cocoanib]

I will always report any abuse I see. If the person is bold enough to abuse in public, just imagine what goes on behind closed doors.
I don't want that on my heart.
Prayers for all the sweet babies being abused, it breaks my heart.

[gealach]

Thank you for calling, OP.

[umsami]

Where I live, sadly, what that father had done would not be considered abuse. Spanking, even hitting with another object, is not illegal--unless it causes pretty significant injuries (sprains, broken bones, lacerations, etc.). Verbal abuse is often viewed as normal. Heck, corporal punishment is still legal in most of the State's schools.

It's actually quite frightening (to me) when you look at State laws on spanking http://kidjacked.com/legal/spanking_law.asp So many say that parents can use "reasonable, non-lethal force" when disciplining children.

For example, in Mississippi: "Physical discipline (not to include any form of sexual abuse) performed on a child by a parent, guardian or custodian shall only be deemed to be abuse under this paragraph when a licensed physician has determined that physical injury has occurred."

Knowing that, I would probably have tried to approach the client/father on the side... or even through an anonymous letter... saying that I had witnessed what had happened, and pointing him to some local resources and books that might help him become a better parent. Anger management, GD courses, etc. I think that at least where I live, that is much more likely to cause change than reporting it to CPS/police. I'm not sure if the threat of breaking the child's arm would be disregarded as an angry tirade, or taken seriously.

[MrsMike]

Just an update. I spoke with a co-worker who was directly involved in the incident. She heard and SAW everything. I handed her a sheet of paper with the county phone numbers and spoke to her privately. She said she is calling...that she had felt helpless and was glad to have those numbers. I also gave those numbers to another co-worker who was there at the time and I believe she called as well.

I have nothing nice to say to management.

PA has mandatory reporting laws for certain professions and businesses. We do not fall under that category. Regular citizens do not fall under the mandatory reporting category. However, since there isn't a true law, I suspect a court can rule either way should someone get sued for not reporting.

I just hope and pray this little boy gets the help he needs and that he stays safe and feels love from somewhere.