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Worried about a Small Child's Safety-What to Do? 

Canadianlover
Canadianlover
Posts: 1


Posted On: 5/29/2015
Canadianlover
Canadianlover
Posts: 1
I,with my wife, live in a residential building that have other tenants as well.My brother in law and his family also live in the same building.They have an eight year old lovely and sweet daughter who comes regularly to our unit(Her kind aunt loves her).We have been here in Canada(The city is confidential)for almost four years and from the beginning of our arrival,we saw that my brother in law and her wife were arguing and fighting against each other.My wife made her ultimate, endless efforts to take care of their daughter,let's say sacrificed herself,while they were in physical separation from almost one and half year ago.They now still in separation and the husband is working in another province.Now,that little daughter comes and goes to our house to be in peace(at least for several hours per day)and to be far from screaming,shouting,yelling mother.My wife picks little angel everyday from her school bus while coming home,because her mother is going to college as a fulltime student.

That being said as a short background,what really concerns us is another matter.A week ago,my wife saw some dark brownish spots in that little angel's legs.We thought that it happened when children play in school.But in second thought,we noticed that her mother beats her.That observation happened only once,or we saw it only once.That innocent child is told that(by her mother) if she call the 911,she will be alone forever in streets and nobody will take care of her,even her aunt!(Poor child told it to my wife.)When my wife goes everyday to pick her,the child's lunch dish is uneaten.We considered it as a child's moral status,but the lunch jar that we saw it in her school bag is not properly prepared.I cannot find any word in English language to describe the appearance and the low quality of that given food.I,as an adult,believe that I cannot eat that!
Yesterday,our little angel's mother(My sister in law)came to our apartment,shouting and yelling at her sister's presence that I will kill this child with a bullet!I don't want her and she makes me eternal suffering!(We found later that this odd behave happened after my sister in law's severe but regular phone arguing with her husband.)

My question is this:"What can we do,and what should we do?Should my wife continue her full support?Should we report this?if yes,where?We also would like to remain anonymous.How law/staff/organization can examine these couples' mental health?Are they capable to take care of their innocent child?"

Thanks for spending time reading this and providing feedback.We really appreciate that.
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Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4142


Posted On: 5/29/2015
Moderator
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4142
Hello,

Thank you for sharing this situation and your concerns with us.

We can appreciate that you would be very concerned about this. It can be a very serious issue.

You can find some very important information in our Settlement.Org I think a child is being abused. What do I do?.


If you know a child is being abused, you must report it. If you think that a child is being abused, you must report it.

The law requires you to report child abuse or your suspicions. You do not have to give your name when you report it.

To report child abuse, contact:

-The local Children's Aid Society
-The local police department
-A hospital or doctor
-A community information centre
-Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)

Many of these organizations are listed in the first few pages of your local telephone book.

Find information about the signs of child abuse.

What happens after I report child abuse?

Generally, a child protection worker meets with the family and the children to investigate. If the worker believes that the children were abused, the worker will determine what happens next. It depends on the individual situation.

The worker may:

-Order the family to get counselling.
-Remove the child temporarily from the home.
-Involve the police and lay criminal charges against the suspected abuser.

If you are in this situation and you have questions or concerns, you can contact a lawyer or community legal clinic about your case.


I hope this information is helpful. Please let us know if you have further questions and if there is any follow up to your question/situation.

=====
Anna
Settlement.Org Content and Information/Referral Specialist, CIRS
Settlement.Org
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