I understand... I was 16 and had to drive mom to the hospital and listen as she told the officers she fell... that it wasn't her husband that broke her arm... oh yeah, understand it all to well unfortunately. Wasn't the first time, or the last. In the end it wasn't her that stopped him, I had to. To protect myself, her, and my sis and bro. I did what I had to... mom still holds it against me all these years later. Lost the house they were in (too pricey for her income), lost the nice car (still had the paid off toyota), kids were hurt... LOTS of emotional pain, lots of upheaval... but I couldn't watch it anymore... couldn't take it any more and finally did what needed doing.
Mom's folks, Mom's brothers, Mom's friends... not one of those adults ever did squat but pat her on the back when he'd hurt her (and us) and then roll their eyes (at most) when she went back. SHE should have taken us out of that situation... but failing that the other adults who knew what was happening should have. It shouldn't have fallen to a child to step up and make the call.
Mom went on to marry another one just like him... now divorced again... Sis is with one... and is a user herself... I HATE to see Sis's kiddos suffer in CPS care, but I think that's the lesser of two evils... much better than watching the violence and drug use and that cycle continuing in another generation... not to mention the risk to their lives if Sis isn't home when he wants to hit someone... or is out cold so not worth the trouble... they're very easy targets to someone in a rage... be that Sis (when using) or her BF (drinking)...
I haven't called unless I have seen something with my own eyes... I refuse to lie or cause drama when there isn't any. But when I see a child in danger I will make the call and face the wrath of the peeved adult if I have to. Sucks, but my conscience won't allow any less. I KNOW what it's like to be that scared little kid... to watch that sort of thing... to know he might turn on you next... to know that this time he just might kill her. That's not something any child should have to see.
But I also understand where you're at... some normalcy... some hugs... some safety... is better than the unknown they'd get if the call was made... it's a scary fine line... makes me SO mad that jerks like this even exist...
Mom's folks, Mom's brothers, Mom's friends... not one of those adults ever did squat but pat her on the back when he'd hurt her (and us) and then roll their eyes (at most) when she went back. SHE should have taken us out of that situation... but failing that the other adults who knew what was happening should have. It shouldn't have fallen to a child to step up and make the call.
Mom went on to marry another one just like him... now divorced again... Sis is with one... and is a user herself... I HATE to see Sis's kiddos suffer in CPS care, but I think that's the lesser of two evils... much better than watching the violence and drug use and that cycle continuing in another generation... not to mention the risk to their lives if Sis isn't home when he wants to hit someone... or is out cold so not worth the trouble... they're very easy targets to someone in a rage... be that Sis (when using) or her BF (drinking)...
I haven't called unless I have seen something with my own eyes... I refuse to lie or cause drama when there isn't any. But when I see a child in danger I will make the call and face the wrath of the peeved adult if I have to. Sucks, but my conscience won't allow any less. I KNOW what it's like to be that scared little kid... to watch that sort of thing... to know he might turn on you next... to know that this time he just might kill her. That's not something any child should have to see.
But I also understand where you're at... some normalcy... some hugs... some safety... is better than the unknown they'd get if the call was made... it's a scary fine line... makes me SO mad that jerks like this even exist...
