To report to social services?

[Changedname78]

Just for a bit of history, DCs dad is very controlling ex army. We can’t talk at all and don’t agree on anything so talking isn’t an option. DC came back from contact covered in bruises, over 10 in total, some absolutely massive, a massive graze too! Apparently all from bike riding 🙄 I worry this has come from being pushed too hard and she’s done it trying to keep up with the army lifestyle. Also a history of situations like this ... being pushed too hard/controlled etc... problem is I doubt social services would do anything anyway!!! They’ve proved useless in the past? So do I just keep photos for future reference or report ? Or nothing 😕

That is true, yes.

So the OP should seek support via private therapy. The DD most likely needs an independent third party to talk with anyway given the sort of relationship that exists between the parents. A therapist could probably figure out what is going on both emotionally and physically and arm her with strategies to encourage assertiveness.

She needs to get to the bottom of the bruising.
Was it the result of falls from a bike or being slapped around?
Did DD ever suffer a head injury while in her father's care? Does he get her to wear a bike helmet?
Were clothes torn or showing signs of rips or staining from contact with the ground? Where was the graze?

She also needs to seek professional help for her own anxiety and panic when faced with the prospect of confronting her ex. If she feels that there is abuse of any kind going on she needs to find a way to convey facts to the court and get a guardian ad litem involved.