Will social services get involved after witnessing DV?
5 answers /
Last post: 10/04/2023 at 2:17 pm
I was helping a friend this weekend to prepare a buffet for her child’s first birthday, and brought my DD (5) along with me to her house. While there, my friend and her partner began to argue. It escalated and there was a lot of shouting between them and he punched a hole in a door, and I ended up phoning the police as I was worried it was about to become violent. I went outside with my daughter to phone them and they arrived quickly. They removed my friends partner but didn’t charge him with anything as he hadn’t committed a crime.
I stayed with my friend to continue helping with the buffet and he returned several hours later, drunk and trying to break into the house. My friend called the police again and this time he was arrested. The police phoned my friend the following day and were asking for my child’s name and what school she goes to. Will this be a social services issue? Will they be contacting me? I’m not worried if this is the case, but I do suffer with anxiety and it helps if I am prepared for such things.
The guidance across all police forces is that witnesses of DV are also victims and schools should be notified ASAP if not the next day of attendance so they can be welcomed and supported and records retained.
You may be contacted as you witnessed d v and also may be deemed to be putting your child at harm if you continue to take your child there when you suspect this may happen again. I think you can support your friend without going to her home .You need to protect your own child from this character and taking her over after the first Incident when you were aware what he was like wasnt sensible .If you talk to police or social workers make it plain that you don’t intend to expose your own child to this again -and make sure you don’t . The police and social worker may want to speak to you just to get your side if the story /witness statement. Be open with them and first and foremost protect your own child .You can still be a good friend but that doesn’t mean putting your own kid in harms way.
good luck
Sorry I meant to say ..I see you did t go back over after the first even and you didn’t know he was going to come back so delete my not sensible comment .. I couldn’t edit it .But seriously avoid thr home whilst she still sees him.
You and your child may be interviewed as a witness to d v by either police or social workers
Sorry I meant to say ..I see you did t go back over after the first even and you didn’t know he was going to come back so delete my not sensible comment .. I couldn’t edit it .But seriously avoid thr home whilst she still sees him.
You and your child may be interviewed as a witness to d v by either police or social workers
How do you know she is still going to see him?
If he isn't in the house, and on bail (if charged) then he won't be allowed to go to his home, so of course she can support her friend by going to her house as the police have safeguarded in this respect.
Hope your friend and child are OK