Young child with high, probably drug addicted parents on the bus

[MommyMaggie]

This happened a few days ago and I just can't let it go. We were on a bus, packed with people - me and my son went upstairs and my husband and younger son stayed on bottom floor. Later, when we got off, my husband told me that during the trip a young couple got on with their little (maybe 2-year-old) daughter in a buggy. A sharp stench of hasch surrounded them and they were both obviously very high. Even the little girl had red, bloodshot eyes. They were aggressive towards the child (screamed at her for no apparent reason) and she seemed scared. All the people in the bus stared at them in disbelief, but no one said anything!! I'm not sure how I would react myself, maybe I would be too scared to say or do anything, especially if I'd have my own children with me.

I have thought about this since that day and I feel so bad for the girl... But what can be done in a situation like this? I recently moved to the UK and I really don't know anything about how things work here with the police, social services etc.

What would you do? Would you do anything at all?

Can you remember which bus you were on and the time? There is probably CCTV footage and the couple may already be known to social services. You could just take this info to the social work centre that covers the area you where on the bus and leave it up to them. Not much else you can do really.

I don't know why but I've also never known what to do in these situations when they are actually happening. I guess you need to think about how you would feel if something had happened to that child because you missed the opportunity for intervention, rather than worry about appearing unreasonable. For this reason would be a good idea to report it at the time or as soon as possible. No one will tell you off for being concerned or wasting police / social services time, if the parents are as awful as you described then probably they are known already. We shouldn't collectively let people get away with being abusive to their children however awkward it feels.

It would be hard to confront them face to face, and if you can't then why not call someone now and just explain why you and your husband were concerned and upset? The bus was probably full of people thinking the same thing anyway. I suppose we have to think about whether or not we have some kind of collective responsibility for the welfare of other people's children, I guess its a yes for me.

What part of the social service works with this kind of matters? I have googled it and I find a lot of options on their site (and I don't understand all of them). Is it "family and children safety" or something else?

Or is there a general number to the social service or police, if you have seen something you want to share with them?

I will check the time and bus number on my Oyster and contact social services in one way or another... This seems to be the only right thing to do.

Andifnotnow, I totally agree with you! Unfortunately it's very rare that people like this actually change just because some stranger confronts them on a bus. The only positive thing with confronting them, that I can think of, is that the child may realize that this is not how it's supposed to be.

I think I found it! It's called Safeguarding children board and I will contact them as soon as I find out exact time and bus.
Thanks!

If they were behaving as you said there is a good chances that social services are already involved with the family.

I'm not sure whether calling now would be helpful as it would very difficult for ss to track down the family based on the bus details - they might not be from that area, and if they aren't already known to ss even cctv footage wouldn't be helpful.

I understand that you want to help so make the call if you feel you could help in some way but I don't think you should get your expectations up too much. Sorry

I know :( But I need to at least try.

I know Maggie - I just don't want you to be upset if they say there's nothing they can do. It's hard not to get upset by something like that.

For police non emergency www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Reportingcrimeandantisocialbehaviour/DG_185338

and for social services you need to look at where you live, as every council runs their own, I'm not sure that there is a central number ( I might be wrong)

and for NSPCC

NSPCC Helpline can be reached on 0808 800 5000 or by email at [email protected]