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Criminal record, abuse and social services

7 replies

everythingchangesbutyou · 18/11/2020 12:06

Name changed as it’s sensitive.

I’m sorry if this is the wrong topic - I really wasn’t sure where to put it.

My question is - if a woman gets pregnant in an abusive relationship, where the partner/ father has a criminal record that included DV against previous partners and kidnap of children from those relationships, AND DV against this woman that resulted in a prison term despite the woman not giving a statement/ denying any abuse - would that be automatically flagged to social services?

Do the agencies work together enough that SS would be notified during the pregnancy or after birth? Or would they not hear about it unless someone raised concerns once the child was born e.g. reported further domestic violence or there were concerns about the welfare of the child from another agency such as gp or school?

If it makes any difference the mother/ woman also has a criminal record for a minor offence as a result of being dragged into his activities and has a probation officer etc, it’s on record that her involvement was due to his coercion and threats.

The woman is an adult. She’s vulnerable due to mental health struggles and some learning difficulties but nothing that I think would raise any flags outside of the relationship. Away from him, and with family support which she has, she would be capable of being a good mother. However she has no intention of leaving and doesn’t even really recognise the abuse for what it is, so that’s irrelevant really.

OP posts:
GoJoe2020 · 18/11/2020 12:08

It should be flagged, yes. It isn't always though, and if someone has this information they really should flag it themselves. That child is at significant risk from birth and there needs to be pre natal SS involvement

everythingchangesbutyou · 18/11/2020 12:10

Thank you.

You’re right. She will probably never forgive me but there it is, it needs doing.

OP posts:
BillywigSting · 18/11/2020 12:15

Yes it needs flagging. The baby's safety trumps everything else. Even if she never forgives you, could you ever forgive yourself if anything happened to the child that could have been prevented?

everythingchangesbutyou · 18/11/2020 12:23

Even if she never forgives you, could you ever forgive yourself if anything happened to the child that could have been prevented?

No.

I was being a bit of a wimp hoping it would happen automatically but if it’s not guaranteed then I know what needs to happen.

OP posts:
TragedyHands · 18/11/2020 12:25

Sounds like the baby needs to be taken into care.
Any woman who gets pregnant knowing the man has all this previous stuff, doesn't deserve to have children.
You just wouldn't.

BillywigSting · 18/11/2020 12:29

It's a rotten situation but it sounds like you know what needs to be done. Time to be brave and make the call op. Good luck 🍀

FAQs · 18/11/2020 12:54

You’re not being a wimp, it’s a tricky situation but you’ll be protecting the vulnerable people involved, it’ll be hard but you’ll be doing a good thing here to not only protect the mum and the baby, but the baby will grow in an environment which could result in their own child being a victim.

It should be picked up via the mums record by the midwifery team, in theory.

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