Monday 29 September 2008

Monday update

After work on Friday, I called Childline to report my neighbours' abuse of their child. I was told there's nothing they could do, and given the number for Child Welfare. I called Child Welfare and asked to speak to a social worker, who told me off for calling on a Friday afternoon, saying there was nothing they could do. She advised me to call back this week.

I headed over to the local police station to open a case against my neighbours. I spoke to two officers who didn't have any idea what I should do, before being directed to a lady named Beauty who was very helpful.

She explained to me that the Child Protection Services unit has been closed down and that child abuse now falls under the auspices of the general police. I think this is ridiculous, as you surely need special training to deal with the situations that come up. Beauty told me that there's no record of my three calls or of a case being opened, and that they haven't logged a visit to my complex on that evening. She advised me to call emergency services back and get their feedback on my reference number from Friday, to put it all in an email and send it to Crimeline, who will then brief the police to open a case.

I called emergency services and quoted my reference number, asking them which police vehicle had made the call and what had happened. I asked the woman to read me her report. It said they had stopped by at 21.20, spoken tot the mother and sorted it out. That was it. As I was the complainant, they should have taken a statement from me, not just the lying, child-beating mother!

Yesterday, at church, I spoke to a friend who is a social worker. She called me this morning with the name and number of a state social worker who will be able to come out to the complex. She also have me the name and number of a sister at the local Teddybear Clinic who can do an assessment on the child. She advised that becuase the parents kept saying how worried they are about him, that he's a psychopath and a thief and that he needs help, I should ask them to take him to the clinic. If they resist, I can bring in the police or the state social worker. I will keep you posted on what happens next.

14 comments:

po said...

Hey Tamara, good for you for going to the effort, it must be hard to keep going when there are so many barriers to an easy procedure!

Janine / Being Brazen said...

At least you are making an effort -CAN NOT believe hardly anyone else is able to help - very sad :(

Really hope you are able to help the kid and find out whats really going on there.

*hugs*

Arkwife said...

Good grief....I've been reading but haven't had time to comment. This is disgraceful, and I commend you for the effort you're going too. Good luck girl. Praying for the best :-)

Cam said...

Tam...you've got a good heart.

But I can tell you, personally, that Child Welfare is the most spoilt and corrupt charity in this country...honest.

My oldman supports a whole bunch of charities and I often support him on visits if my mom is unavailable, he whole heartedly refuses to support Child Welfare...The Teddy Bear Clinic is far far better.

Miss T said...

Tamara...this is so saddening. Incredibly disheartening. The effort you are putting in to follow this through is brilliant though. Even just writing about this and putting that story out there so we all know what is going on is help. My aunt used to work for life line and they did such good work. I honestly thought Childline would be the same...its is just heartbreaking to read you comments on them as well as yours Ches.

Mayeb we should all work together to make a big noise about this?

I know I'm far away but anything that can help

phillygirl said...

Sheesh, I've heard it's hard to actually get anything done in situations like this, but I wouldn't have thought it'd be so tricky from the word go! How hard do you think it could be to ensure the that the primary contact points are well known? I certainly wouldn't have the first clue about all this ...

Am so impressed about the amount of effort you've put in for, essentially, a stranger - I hope he realises it one day when he's an adult!

Missed you at lunch yesterday :(

ShonaVixen said...

i would just like to commend you on just trying to help the child!!You've got a heart of gold hon x

Arkwife said...

Btw....I've finally done the SA post. :-)

Slyde said...

10 points to you for not letting this go... i fear that you are this child's only guardian angel...

elizabeth said...

I'm so glad you are following up on this in this manner! I am horrified that this had been so hard!

Moe Wanchuk said...

Don't Quit.

You're Amazing.

Wenchy said...

scary that.

Caz said...

WOW! I can't believe how much red tape you are facing in this. It's flippen terrifying!!! When a friend of mine was raped she was pretty much convinced NOT to press charges. What on earth is up with our police force???? Lady I think you need to write an article on this and send it in to news24.com... their readers' letters get great readership. This issue is bigger than one child. Imagine all the times people don't bother to persist coz it's just too hard!

Ruby said...

I'm so proud of you hun. Lots of people wouldn't have gone the extra mile for this kid, telling themselves that they contacted the police and there isn't a whole lot they can do otherwise. But you've decided not to let this slide, and that's awesom.

I'll be praying that you'll reach the right people, people with a passion to help children like this. Keep us posted!