BellaOnline Forums Family Child Abuse child neglect

I'm not a regular forum poster here or anywhere really and my problem/post seems trivial compared to some of the things I've read but maybe somebody out there could offer me some constructive advise or maybe has experienced the same thing. Very recently I encountered a young child in what to me looked like a sad state of obvious physical neglect. This was in a public place and the meeting only lasted a very short time. Now I wish I had taken some sort of action though I don't know what - I have no name, address or any other details of which I could make a coherent report to authorities - just a lasting impression, a sad one. What do you do in cases like these when you don't know the people involved? Pray that someone in the child's life will do something? Or hope that I was completely wrong about my impression? Thanks for listening.

number1nana,

First, let me welcome you to the forum!

You raise a very important question! It would obviously be different had you known the child, even a little bit. If that were the case, you could have made a phone call to report the suspected neglect.

However, when the child is someone that you don't know, there is not much you can do. That leaves the person, such as yourself, with a great deal of frustration and worry, but unfortunately, without a name or even a valid address, it can not be reported to the professionals.

Did you happen to notice if the child knew anyone else in the surrounding area? For instance, if it was in a grocery store, perhaps the clerk knows who the child is. That's a long shot, but it may be something to go on.

If you are a praying person, than that would definitely be something that you could do. You may not know who the child is, but I believe that God certainly does.

Thank you again for stopping by the forum.

Thank you Kelli for the thoughtful reply - I know there really isn't an answer to my questions. It's truly maddening when you know someone needs help and you can't help them get it. I'll try what you suggested. Even if I can't find a way to help this particular child it has made me very aware of being aware and getting involved as best I can. I truly wish anyone who's been a victim of neglect & abuse much love & much strength.

number1nana,
You are very welcome! It is certainly very frustrating to know that a child needs help and we cannot do anything about it. Once, while shopping in a local store, I observed a father with his son. He was yelling at his son for not taking off his shirt quickly enough, in order to try on a new one. What shocked me was that as I passed this child, I noticed he had bruises all over his back. I didn't know what to do either, but wanted to do something to help the child. The only thing that I could think of was to ask the clerk to keep an eye on the boy and make sure his father didn't hit him there while shopping. I asked her to call 911 if she witnessed the father hitting his son. I don't know what happened after that, since I had to leave. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do...knowing that child was being hurt and not being able to help him

Kelli, I have a question. My neighbor curses and screams at his children everyday outside. Is it valid to call the police for this? I think so. Do you? or protective services maybe? he belittles and uses the "f" word too! it sturs up bad memories for me as well as feeling so sorry for the little boys taking this abuse.

freemenow,
I'm not sure that the police would do anything. Unfortunately, many people don't view the cursing or put downs as being abusive. Although, I do believe that it is very abusive to do that. Anyway, Iw ould definitely call protective services and report what you hear and see. Ask them to check into it. That would be a great first step!

I can understand that the neighbors behavior would trigger you as well. You may want to arrange to be outside when your neighbor is not out there, in order to protect yourself emotionally.

Hi all, I know, first hand as well as y'all do that the inability to help a child in distress is devastating. My son is a victim of abuse at the hands of his father and I'm still trying to navigate through the system to get him out of there. I became a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for children who are caught up in nasty family law cases. I am training now and will be helping the child by being their friend and providing my love and support so they can have a neutral party to talk with. It's a great program.

MySonNeedsHelp,
I think it's great that you are volunteering your time to help children. Our family court system needs more GAL's that are educated on abuse and can spot the tell-tale signs of abuse right away.