Really Really need your help on a child abuse case that is being ignored - HELP!

[Rhubarb]

Ok, neighbour has okayed me to do this.

My neighbour's 6 yo grandaughter told her mother around Christmastime, that she had been abused by her dad. The mother and father had split up, mainly because of his violent outbursts. It turns out that he has been sexually abusing his daughter. When confronted he tried to blame it on his son, the little girl's elder brother. But the little girl is adament that her dad abused her. This only came to light because of things she was saying she could do for her brothers.

Her mother reported it to the police on the 6th of January. They seized his pc from the family home, but he no longer lives there. He went into rehab and then told his wife he would be staying with his sister, who has 2 young girls of her own.

The social services were also informed. The school got involved, as the little girl was re-enacting some of the things her father made her do. They supported the mother and offered to give evidence.

So far, no-one has been in contact with the father, not the police nor the social services. The SS made an appt to see the family, but didn't keep it. When the mother phoned, they said they'd phone her back, but didn't. The police have taken a statement from the little girl and her family, but that's it. No counselling has been offered, although the mother has asked for it and the school have asked for it, for the little girl.

I've just been round today and the update is that my neighbour wrote to our local MP two weeks ago, who didn't reply. She also wrote to the social services, who made another appt to see the family, but again failed to show and the mother was unable to get anyone but the answermachine by phone. She wrote to the Chief Constable who sent a reply saying her letter was acknowledged. The police were duly in touch and said that a case review was to be held yesterday morning to decide whether to go through his pc (which they've had for 6 weeks) or to arrest him straight away. They said they'd let her know the outcome of the review, but so far haven't.

My neighbours are distraught, this man could be abusing his nieces right now. He is a violent and abusive man who is laughing in their faces. Where do they go from here? Who do they contact?

Advice really really appreciated on this.

Sorry Rhubarb no advice, just a bump

How awful, he defintely needs to be away from his nieces!

Have the police passed the file to the Crown Prosecution Service yet? I know it sounds scandalous but these things can take time and they will be assessing if they have enough evidence to proceed.

Thank you for the bump.

I need to know who they turn to next. I've advised them to go to the PCC, but who is the ombudsman for the social services?

Obv I don't know the full details of this case or why no-one seems to be taking any action. But if a little girl has accused her dad of sexually abusing her, I'm pretty sure that in most cases that would involve an arrest being made and a date set for court? This accusation was brought to the police on the 6th of January and so far nothing has been done and no counselling provided for this child. Surely that isn't right? Who the hell can shake these people up?

hf

The police said that they were reviewing the case yesterday morning. They have video evidence of what the little girl said and they school have also offered evidence, but they haven't been approached. The police have had his pc in their custody for over 6 weeks but have failed to look at it. The review was to decide, apparently, whether to look at the pc or to arrest him. No-one knows what they decided because they haven't been in touch.

Social Services are letting your neighbour down here: it's appalling that she should be put in this position when she must be utterly distraught and in need of support herself, but she needs to push SS to provide support and if necessary lodge a complaint. Would a charity like Childline be able to offer advice, support and possibly advocacy?

I've had some experience of this and found SS very supportive but I guess standards of service vary a lot

Sorry, meant to add that your neighbour should have been allocated a police officer at some point during this process; someone she could call for advice on how the investigation is going etc.

I'll mention childline, but they need to go to the ombudsman ideally. The social services are failing to provide counselling, they are failing to get in touch with the school with advice on how to deal with the situation, and they are failing to keep appts or even to call the mother back. No explanations, nothing.

Your local mp will have a face to face drop in session that you and your neighbour can go to.

Your neighbours daughter can also go to the family courts and make an application for sole residency citing the reasons you have laid out above. The judge would have to consider the fact that the allegations have been made and your neighbours dd can request that social services get involved then. It used to be called a "section 7" report, i'm not sure if it is still called the same as i was in the family courts a few yrs ago now.
Your neighbours dd would then highlight the fact that he is staying with his two young nieces and that would prompt further investigation also.
The application could be made as an emergency and can be carried out ex-parte in those circumstances as far as i recall, in other words an emergency application would be made without notice to the father and an order granting interim sole residency and a section 7 report (or equivalent) to be carried out.

Basically, i am suggesting that you use an emergency application to the family courts to get this into the system properly and looked at properly.

You should also go down the police complaints procedure route as they are not keeping in contact with the victims family and following their own procedures.

I would further call social services and ask for the name of the social worker's superviser, you would then contact the superviser direct and explain that there is an immediate child protection issue that requires action/investigation.

I agree it sounds like the whole thing has been terribly mishandled - I mentioned Childline (and think there are other charities she could approach) because they might be able to advise and assist her with lodging a complaint with the ombudsman, or whichever authority deals with such complaints.

They sound as competent as the police were 23 years ago when I was abused.

Daily phone calls - hourly phone calls to all the various parties until something is done.

This is unacceptable.

Has the child been examined?

Sorry, should have added that NSPCC will be able to advise on local couselling resources and the GP would also be able to help.

The little girl should have a dedicated police liaison officer in this case. The mother needs to badger the police. At the end of the day they have a prima facie case against the father - she has made the accusation. Has she been medically examined?

There will be a local councillor with specific responsibility for Childrens Services. Have a look at the council's website and it should have a page containing information about the Cabinet Members and who holds specific responsibilities. This page will contain contact information.

I would advise emailing the Director of Childrens Services with a cc to the Cabinet Member for Childrens Services and the Corporate Complaints Officer. Details for the Complaints Officer will be on the website somewhere. Copy the MP in too, together with the Clerk to the Police Authority. The Police Authority hold accountability for the local police force. This way lots of important people will be aware of the incompetence and will cover their arses ensure something happens.

Yes, she has been examined and they have confirmed that she is no longer a virgin.

Thanks, I will give them all that info. I knew you'd be able to help!

Can you or your neighbour call the NSPCC to find out the best way to proceed with this? I would have thought they would know how to handle it.

OMG Rhubarb that is so, so sad and sickening to read

That poor little girl

He raped a 6 year old?

He didn't rape her, but he certainly got very close.

He sounds very violent and very abusive.

I'm going over now with an NSPCC printout on what to do next, details of the IPCC, Director of Children's Services, Council Complaints Procedure, MP's local surgery hours etc etc.

Hope it helps them. You've been priceless, thanks very much!

I think that in the current climate, you could write a very strong letter to whoever is in charge of Children's Services, and mention that you may go to newspapers/bbc if they don't get moving. In light of recent high profile cases such as BabyP and others, this might put a bomb behind them. Iused to work for childrens services, and left because of stuff like this. The cases that shout loudest often get dealt with first, so I would agree with whoever said to phone daily. Also make a separate complaint to detail your concerns re. other children who might be at risk of harm from this man, with the duty desk. If you cannot get to talk to anyone by phone, go down there.