Do you know if you have to give your name if you call social services about someones else kids?/?

Question

There is this woman in my street who always shouts at her kids with bad names and stuff like today she said to her 8 years old ( because she had left the gate opened and the dog escaped)and I quote:"you pathetic little brat why did you open the ******* gate and left it open,go inside or I will have you!"

everyday the same story when it is not with her kids it is the husband or neighbours.

do I have to give my name?

I am in the UK and I don't think the children are beaten just the way she speaks to them.

Answer 1

No you don't, but you have greater legal protection if you do (and social services will take you more seriously).

If push comes to shove and your woman asked to see full details of the allegation you'll have greater protection is you gave your name.

If you give the information anonymously Social Services have no duty, or right, to protect the information. If you said 'I'm a neighbour and I heard her say...' that's exactly what your woman will read.

If you give your name Social Services are legally obliged to protect your identity, so they won't be able to tell her 'a neighbour told us you said...', only 'we received information that suggested...'

Social Service receive a enormous amount of timewaster referrals. New wives wanting to blacken the name of the first wife etc. Child protection teams are massively understaffed and under resourced. All allegations are looked into to some degree, but not necessarily to the level we'd all like.

If you want your allegation taken seriously and fully investigated, you really need to leave your name.

Answer 2

I would call it in, I believe they do allow people to keep their names private....1-800-4-A-CHILD, there is also a website,
www.childhelpusa.org

I would also consider calling your local sheriff's dept or police dept, and let them know what you are witnessing, and if they want to talk to you, ask them if you can meet somewhere other than your residence because you do not want these people to know that you tipped them off, due to thier abusive behavior. I can only imagine what it is like inside the home if it is that awful in public! Some people should not be allowed to have children. ALSO check in your phone book under your county or city, and see what they have listed for locally reporting this abuse. Verbal abuse is just as bad if not worse than physical abuse, and no one should have to endure it. You are making the right decision by reporting this, because you have no idea what these children could be experiencing when the doors are shut. PLEASE take action, and save the children from further abuse, & bless you for caring.

Answer 3

No you dont have to give your name, but even if you did they are not allowed to tell them.

The social services are useless these days because they are totally strapped for cash.

They will not be able to do anything about that horrible nasty woman as she is not physically hurting the children or neglecting them.

Buit still give them a call as a quick visit from them might just shock the woman and her husband and make them think twice in future about how they treat there children

Answer 4

Nope. You can be completely anonymous!
If you don't want to go so far as calling social services right off the bat, contact your local police department and request a "check the welfare" on the family. Let them know that you're concerned about the children. This too can be anonymous, just call a non-emergency number and not 911 for that!

Answer 5

You can do it anonymous. But be sure you're not over reacting. I shout at my daughter, and I'll admit sometimes I swear (yeah I know, I wish I didn't - but hands up all parents who NEVER swear in front of their kids. YOU LIARS!) but she is well looked after and cared for.

Think hard before you report some one. The social services are notorious for letting serious cases of abuse go on unheeded, and being over zealous on otherwise good parents.

Remember poor Anna Climbie, murdered by her aunt and uncle.The social thought cigarette burns, cuts and bruises all over her body, were part of her african culture! D!ck heads!

Answer 6

No, you shouldn't have to leave your name. Even if you do, however, your name will be protected in CPS's (Child Protective Services) records. But at least call and let them know what's going on. Chances are you won't be the first complaint against this woman, but the more people who call, the more CPS has to work with.

Answer 7

NO, you don't. Social Services will quite happily take anonymous reports of abuse. However, if it escalates into violence, they may ask you to give a police statement and go to court as a witness.

Answer 8

i don't know how things work in the UK, but in the US the child has to have PHYSICAL injuries in order for anything to be done. we have a "family preservation act" which even allows parents that DO PHYSICALLY harm their child to regain their parental rights after a couple of therapy sessions! (it's sick i know!)

in the US you don't have to give your name... but if you do they give you a follow up as to what happened as a result of your call. your name, in the US, is blacked out of all reports so even if you DO give your name the abuser doesn't know who reported them.

best of luck in this sick world

Answer 9

I believe you do not have to give your name. Everything is anonymous and confidential to protect you. I would call anyway, and if they ask your name, just say that you would rather not. Good for you for watching out for that child's well being!

Answer 10

Nope! but you really need to think things thru before calling. Because you can have her children taken from her and it may not be that serious. She could just have a bad mouth. I know you want to help, but calling SS is something really serious.............