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Safeguarding Concerns - what happens after one is reported.

(62 Posts)
kittylester Mon 27-Feb-23 10:56:15

DH has a niece who is in an absolutely horrific domestic situation. I have told DH's brother (her father) that I would ring Adult Social Care and refer her but he says the hospital (!!!!) have.

What would be likely to happen after that?

Should we as well?

This is outside my experience so would be grateful for all/any information.

Wyllow3 Mon 27-Feb-23 19:41:11

I think mental health support would be good kittylester but hard to get atm, and again, she has to "own" a problem to ask and if she is afraid end consequences will be "alone" she might not engage.

The more posts we get I'm inclined to feel if she sort of feels people are pushing her to a feared aloneness...... then the very best offers you can make to her is "'I'll always be at the end of a phone for you", nice birthday cards, low key little emails or texts on everyday matters so she knows in fact someone is there in an unthreatening way even if she cant "use" that for now.

kittylester Mon 27-Feb-23 19:43:43

Thank you, ga. I know you haven't been well either. Hope you are doing OK.

MerylStreep Mon 27-Feb-23 19:57:22

And then they go back after 2 years as my mother did.

kittylester Mon 27-Feb-23 20:07:05

DN has been going back for years, presumably since they got married over 30 years ago.

I don't know who to be crosser with - her husband or her father.

Iam64 Mon 27-Feb-23 20:07:27

Yes. It’s so difficult isn’t it MerylStreep. Especially for any children

kittylester Tue 28-Feb-23 06:28:04

Can anyone tell me - will the hospital report to the police?

silverlining48 Wed 01-Mar-23 08:55:46

No one can tell you Kitty but if your niece is at least spoken to by the hospital social worker she may be referred on for help and support , that is if that’s what she wants.

annodomini Wed 01-Mar-23 09:24:35

kiitty, I hope someone will report this situation to the police. If the hospital don't, would you consider doing this? I know that safeguarding is growing in importance with the Police Service and in your local police station, there may be a DI with this responsibility.

kittylester Wed 01-Mar-23 09:30:10

I am happy to speak to the police anno. DN was seen by the Mental Health and abuse team yesterday and seems to have taken on board their advice. She refused to talk to the police. Not sure where that leaves us.

Her father thinks it's all sorted now! angry

Wyllow3 Wed 01-Mar-23 09:31:05

Yes, its a case by case.

BTW, this is an interesting mums net discussion on the issues,
it covers whether the police can proceed without the victims consent.

But this was a violent/physical attack. Statements and evidence on coercive abuse are a lot harder to pursue as they really do require the victims co-operation as to incidents, what was said or threatened, mobile phone evidence, and so on.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/legal_matters/4668872-made-a-statement-but-dont-want-to-press-charges

Wyllow3 Wed 01-Mar-23 09:32:25

I'm so very glad that MH have been brought in, thank goodness!