Social Workers Must Not Under-Estimate A Report Of Child Abuse.

We see and hear about abuse all the time. We also see and hear what we can do about it. However what we can do about it, often falls on deaf ears.

Why? because there are things that professionals can not possibly witness because they go on behind closed doors, or, in some cases, the abuse is reported but does not meet the abuse threshold for a local authority to take any action.

Child abuse is not a stand-alone when it comes to abuse behind closed doors. A child may not even understand that violence and abuse are occuring, and a baby cannot speak of it. Child abuse does not just directly relate to the physical and mental treatment of a child, it is also abusive for children to witness violence and abuse between the parents. Not all child abuse leaves physical evidence, and sometimes even mental scars are hard to pick up until much later. Child abuse can be a complicated issue, and sadly in some cases, many children do not meet the threshold for the abuse to be considered child abuse. This is concerning because if child abuse isn't dealt with early, it can lead to serious problems for the child growing up with abuse.

Here are some situations where child abuse often goes unseen and unheard:

1) A parent is reported by someone witnessing the child being abused. However, the authority does not see any signs of abuse or the child reported does not meet the criteria for abuse. The person reported seeing the child being screamed at, hit, grabbed, shaken etc., However, there are no records or evidence including physical. Therefore, while this is still abuse, there are no criteria to say the threshold has been met, and the local authority does not take action. This means that the local authority will not see the child and the abuse continues in secret until the child gets hurt.)

2) A young person is in an already abusive relationship and has a baby. This young person is vulnerable with their own problems, and both partners are co-dependent on each other. They live with other family members who witness them swearing, cursing, hitting each other. It is obvious this young couple cannot cope with the stress of a baby and are reliant on each other for everything. One of the partners screams at the baby, and both partners spend more time in bed rather than up with the baby. The young couple relies on the other family to take care of the baby, and the family members notice they cannot manage basic child care. A family member witnesses one of the partners swearing and cursing at the baby when stressed out, or ignoring the baby's needs. The baby is up all night with no routine, and the partners are constantly arguing and shouting at and in front of the baby. The family notices they are abusive to each other and the baby, they are aware the abuse has occured before. However, this is reported but one partner is ill and easily coerced by the other. Therefore, when confronted, both deny the abuse. The local authorities have only gone by what they are told, but once the child and partners are seen, there are no signs of abuse and the partners change their behaviour to suit the situation. The abuse is hidden, and as there is no evidence, the case is dropped.

3) A child's mum has been seen physically dragging a child and screaming at him/her in the street. It is obvious to the observer that this child is being abused. The child is called names, swore at, hit and threatened. The observer reports this to the local authority who go out to see the mum. However, by the time the local authority gets there, the child is smiling and happy again. The mum appears calm and loving, the home is clean and tidy. The mum denies what she did. There are no marks on the child and the child is not afraid. The child is questioned but says everything is fine. The local authority can watch the mum and child, however, they do not have a case against the mum. This abuse may be more severe when the local authority is not there.

Child abuse can be easily covered up. The reporter of abuse, whether professional or a member of the public may very well be telling the truth. However, abusers can easily deny the abuse and manipulate the other parent into doing so. The other parent may be being abused his/herself and therefore, may be too scared to admit there is a problem. She/he may be a victim of violence and emotional abuse and may have been threatened into silence.

A local authority cannot see what goes on behind closed doors. Talking to parents on the phone who has been reported whether by a member of the public, or a professional is not enough. Doing one welfare check and seeing everything is ok is also not enough.

Parents may not admit what is happening and ignoring this denial, assuming everything is ok is to under-estimate a report of child abuse, in the sense that it can happen behind closed doors where it cannot be seen or heard.

A parent's 'I'm fine,' may not mean what it states. A child's smile may hide the abuse, and assuming everything is fine based on what parents have said is dangerous.

A baby may look happy, well-fed and well looked after. However, bringing up a baby can be stressful for any parent. A baby who constantly cries is double the stress. The parents may appear to be coping on a one-time visit, but what happens when the professionals are not there? This baby may be being screamed at, ignored and neglected. Neglect does not always show in a physical sense in a baby. The baby may be the subject of abuse at times that are difficult such as night, when professionals are not there. The baby may not have an appropriate routine, and the parents may also have problems professionals cannot see.

Social workers must not underestimate reports of child abuse. What seems fine when they are there, may not be fine when they are not present.