whenever a case of an abused child dying comes into the news its always the same thing; why did no one notice? why did the Social Services not do something? but in all honesty would you do anything?
for instance, your neighbour whom has recently moved in, you have not spoke to has a child that cries constantly, you see the parents go out without the child so assume they are left alone, by diverse they seem to put the child outside alone in all weathers, etc.
a) would you just tut to your friends and keep saying someone ought to do something
b) think maybe the child has additional needs so plays up a bit
c) nothing to do with me
d) ring Social Services straight away
Even in 1960s soaps they showed a child with clear evidence of bruises etc someone soon got in touch with relevant authorities. yes its fictional but in those days places were more community minded and everyone knew everyone else. there was clear evidence of children being abused but people did seem to look out for others.
Social Services are way over stretched so if you ring them you do wonder sometimes if they can help. the duty social workers have a list as long as your arm plus the regular cases that need to be checked on. getting the police to go with them if its like anything else takes time and loads of paperwork which when you are dealing with abuse is what you haven't got one day can make all the difference.
a lot of these cases its learned behaviour from their own childhoods. a lot is ignorance they have no idea how to parent plus of course there are factors like drugs drink poverty living in one room or inadequate housing no money food etc. that is not an excuse a lot of people have lived in so called slums or bad housing yet brought up children very well indeed but maybe we need to have a long think what needs doing to help prevent more of these children suffering.