#257 - 02/06/10 02:16 AM
Emotional Abuse?
|
t1intexas
New Member
Registered: 02/06/10
Posts: 1
|
Offline
|
|
Recent events has brought me here with many hours of searching the web for answers, and calling the National Child Abuse Hotline for them to tell me that if I suspect abuse that I need to contact local authorities. They wouldn't even listen to me.
My daughter was here at Christmas and had an emotional breakdown. Her dad and I have joint custody. She told him recently that she wanted to move in with me which is in a different state. He has chastised her too many degrees and is emotionally blackmailing going as far as telling her that he could put me in jail for back child support. I had to explain to her if she contacted the state they would tell her I AM NOT behind in my child support. He even told her they could not afford to go on vacation because he was going to have to pay child support and he would not even be able to afford to fly her there for summers or holidays.
I have recently talked to a member close to them who has informed me (as well as my daughter has when I questoned her about it) that he has run around the house with a gun threatening to shoot himself in front of her. She has even gone as far as cutting herself. I am scared for her life. I am also afraid that if i call CPS that he will lash out physically at me or worse. He is unstable and I know I have to get her out of there, but I do not want her going with his family. I want her to come with me. She belongs here. What do I do. She has talked to her minister about this, but I do not know what his responsibility is when it comes to this. If he can even say anything because of clregy rights to keep things quiet. What do I do?
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#259 - 02/09/10 04:04 PM
Re: Emotional Abuse?
[Re: t1intexas]
|
Moderator 8
New Member
Registered: 09/17/08
Posts: 4
|
|
Offline
|
|
t1intexas - Thank your for reaching out in our forum. It takes courage to do this, and you've taken a great step by making the choice to get help for your daughter. The safety and well being of your daughter comes first. If a gun is being used to threaten or intimidate the child, it is in the best interest of your daughter to report this. The laws vary from state to state in regards to mandatory reporting, therefore knowing your daughter's age and which state she lives in will be helpful in finding out what's best for her. Here is a website that might be helpful in determining the mandatory reporting requirements in the state that your daughter resides in: http://www.childwelfare.gov.
If at all possible, you might consider reporting to the appropriate child protective agency in your area. If this is something you are not comfortable doing, another option is to take your daughter to see a therapist who can help her deal with the abuse and the self mutilation/cutting she has adopted. Her therapist will also be able to help her if there is a mandated report to be made. Finally, Justice for Children is an organization that may be a valuable resource for legal information regarding issues of abuse and child custody (http://www.jfcadvocacy.org/, 1-800-733-0059).
Please also feel free to look at the information we have on our website as there are other links that may be of help to you such as defining child abuse and what to do should you suspect it. Our facilitated chat rooms are also available if you feel that you need more support talking over the details of your situation . Again, thank you for reaching out in our forum, stay strong, and please visit again should there be further assistance you may need.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: moderator 1, moderator 3
|
|
