Should I report it....
My 14yo has a friend, and she absolutely stinks. She's sleeping over tonight, and my entire house is just about unbreathable. Last week she come over and I had to drive her home, and her house is one I rented a long time ago. The yard is riddled with dubish, piled quite high... it stinks also. I could see in the front door, and it was even worse. Her family own the home.
She has young siblings, and I don't know if I should make a report to DCJ. I don't want to cause trouble, but seeing kids in this situation, it makes me so sad for the children, and mad
4 Replies
Yes report it, the family will be offered information and support to try to help them provide a hygienic safe home for the children .
When I met my inlaws almost 20 years ago they had 3 small children, every fiber of my soul was screaming at me to report their living situation to DHS but I didn't.
Similarly, those children were living in complete squalor and they were shockingly neglected. Without going into the upsetting details, it was bad. Very, very bad.
Please report what you have observed.
Most importantly, it could be what kick-starts some help for this family or at the very least it will help build case.
Secondly (and trust me when i say this because I speak from experience), it will eat at you if you don't report it.
For tonight though, tactfully offer this girl a shower, maybe rustle up some toiletries for her, even ask if she'd like you to pop her clothes through the wash.
Please report this. Maybe the whole family is suffering in many different ways. its best to report anonymously, clean it from your mind and give these children a new lease of life.
Good luck.
Report it!!!! It may be the start of assisting the family or it may be the final trigger in assisting the children! You don’t know the background or the issues at hand, your report could make the ultimate difference in the children’s lives! DCJ will assist before removal, if the parents are unwilling or unable to provide basic needs of the children your report could mean a world of difference!