A few years back, I was in the middle of a nasty custody battle with my now ex. We have a son together. At the time, my son was in second grade.
The school called me one day and said that my ex had made allegations of horrible abuse against me. He told them that me and my other 2 children (from my first marriage -who would have been around 13 and 14 at the time) beat my son every day and that he was covered in bruises. They said I needed to come to the school because they were thinking of calling CPS.
I think I got there in less than 10 minutes (normally a 15-20 min. drive) I was FUMING! I told them to get my son, take him to the nurses office and strip him naked. If they found even ONE bruise on his body — they could call CPS, the police and the newspapers for all I cared! I reminded them that this was a heated custody battle and that my ex would say anything to make me look horrible.
They brought my son down and had him remove his shirt. NOT ONE BRUISE, SCRATCH… NOTHING. Everyone left the room and the nurse checked him further. NOTHING.
I told them that they had my permission to do this on a weekly basis if they so chose. My son assured them that NO ONE was abusing him. He said everyone in his family is nice to him and loves him. He also informed them that he doesn’t even get spanked!
Although I was angry at the school at first… I later decided that I would much rather them err on the side of caution… than to dismiss this outright with another child and something be wrong.
Wish this little boys school had the same diligence.

back to just snapping, not sleazing.

Awww…you’ve gone and broken my heart now!

Well, Bornagain, didn’t you just offer to service everyone on D’D, in the Peter Cupis thread? Make up your mind, man!

Sigh. My one attempt to unify the world through personal sacrifice (ie whore myself out) – dashed! Why am I so misunderstood, huh Doc? (cue the smallest violins). Angel, my generous and ‘virtual’ offer to female non Scientologist site members was made in the spirit of distraction from racial profiling subsuming the pillocking we were giving that step-stair eyed devo. Truth be known, my work in child protection is not the aphrodisiac that some people think it is – most of my clients/customers/members of the public/stakeholders that I interact with professionally, well I wouldn’t touch with someones elses, let alone mine.

back to just snapping, not sleazing.

Maybe – here in Oz they get good pay and need qualifications (and the system is still fucked), but your explanation aside, it doesn’t explain worker indifference, lack of common sense, and rank stupidity in the face of overwhelming risk. Money don’t buy smarts, training doesn’t replace sensitivity, too much work doesn’t kill off empathy and full staffing doesn’t ensure quality work.

And please, stop talking about helping people as ’servicing’ clients. I’m social work trained too, and you’re making me feel all dirty!

Very well said on both counts. There is no excuse for DSS doing nothing for this little boy period. Laziness, lack of empathy and indifference is what these particular workers gave this little boy during their visits.

Having worked as a social worker for 12 years before changing to the private sector……I don’t service my clients either. I work mostly with children and thats illegal here lol.

And please, stop talking about helping people as ’servicing’ clients. I’m social work trained too, and you’re making me feel all dirty!

Well, Bornagain, didn’t you just offer to service everyone on D’D, in the Peter Cupis thread? Make up your mind, man!

The truth of the matter is that public service systems especially DSS and programs that provide health care are understaffed, poorly trained, over worked, and poorly paid.

Maybe – here in Oz they get good pay and need qualifications (and the system is still fucked), but your explanation aside, it doesn’t explain worker indifference, lack of common sense, and rank stupidity in the face of overwhelming risk. Money don’t buy smarts, training doesn’t replace sensitivity, too much work doesn’t kill off empathy and full staffing doesn’t ensure quality work.

And please, stop talking about helping people as ’servicing’ clients. I’m social work trained too, and you’re making me feel all dirty!

However, I made it my personal business to ensure that all of my clients needs were met. If I knew that I was having difficulty with any aspect of care management I made sure that my supervisor was notified immediately and made sure that the problem was rectified. People depend on these public service systems, because they are usually the ones that have little to no voice about their needs, rights, or have no assistance in coping with their living situations.

The truth of the matter is that public service systems especially DSS and programs that provide health care are understaffed, poorly trained, over worked, and poorly paid. There are many days when I hold my head and think what the hell am I doing, but then I remember what it was like growing up in “the system” and try my best to make sure that I do all that I can. But, there are alot of workers who can’t understand how vital the job is and that is how we end up reading about yet another undeserved and premature death.

That is some serious ugly.

LOL. You’re right, Kathy; and that retarded look on his face in that picture doesn’t help him any, does it?

We all know that children are our future, if we continue to allow our children to be treated like this, what kind of future do we have in store for us?

Solange,
Mine will never have to know what it is like to be treated this way. I’d rather spend the rest of my life in prison for killing someone who hurt one of my babies, than to sit by and do nothing while they are mistreated.

While my father was a mean bastard, and my mother a self-serving coward, I have come to realize in recent years that my parents were also one of the greatest gifts I was given. Without them, I might never have developed the characteristics I possess which enable me to protect MY children from the assholes of the world. I would gladly do it all again if it meant that I would be able to better protect my own sweet angels.

The thought of these two procreating makes me gag. They would make the most hideous looking babies. I mean we are talking the kind of ugly that would make you immediately lose your lunch if you weren’t one of the lucky ones that were stricken blind first.

That is some serious ugly.