Need a bit of a handhold and maybe some advice on what to expect next.
A bit of background - ex was controlling, narcissistic, gaslit me, cheated, generally awful to me and my 2 children from a previous relationship. We were together 5 years and split when 4yo dd was just over 1yo. I ended things when his temper got worse with my older son and light bulb just flicked in me and told me that I deserved better. I ended things and he moved out. He carried on being abusive after that, harassed me with multiple calls and texts, turning up to the house etc and trying to force his way in.
I've never stopped contact with him and dd. He took me to court mediation last year over access to her as he wanted more than he had but was unsuccessful and he still has what he had before. That was just another method of control over me. Dd has been going EOW.
she came home last night and told me that ex hit her so hard that it knocked her over, that she cried and was upset and scared and that she missed me and he told her she isn't allowed to miss me and that it's naughty to miss mummy when she is at his. No reason to suspect dd is lying. She obviously could not give me a time this happened but said was after breakfast but before lunch.
I called 101 for advice who took this very seriously and the police as coming to see us and we have been referred to social services.
I'm terrified. I'm so anxious I've opened a can of worms and he is going to give me a hard time over this and make my life hell. He will deny this and tell an abundance of lies to make me look like the bad guy because he's never taken an ounce of responsibility for anything in his life.
I don't really know what to expect next. I'm terrified ill lose my kids. I've never hit my kids ever. It's my job to protect them and it physically hurts to think he's hurt her and she was scared and needed me and I wasn't there. She said he has smacked her before when she has been 'naughty'. His level of naughty is obviously very much lower than mine.
Will he be arrested? I obviously need to stop contact now but legally need advice because our contact agreement is mediation approved so I can't change it without him taking me back to court. I don't have finances for court and am not entitled to legal aid as there is no proof of his abuse to me.
Sorry its jumbled and rambling I'm just very stressed and upset.