TNmom
journeyman
Reged: 04/21/05
Posts: 72
Loc: Tennessee
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Two girls, ages 10 and 8, father has custody.
They are punished by being stripped to bare bodies and struck with newspaper wrapped in duck tape.
On what level of abuse do you measure this, if any at all?
If Childrern's Services see no reason for concern, what would one do?
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Melody
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 10102
Loc: California
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It's meant to demean and torment....that's cruel on many different levels and I cannot see how that would be acceptable as a form of discipline. If your CPS division doesn't feel it's abusive, I don't know what you can do.
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Rebecca5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 11697
Loc: Down home.
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That's just horrible....from a personal opinion. It's not only cruel and humiliating; it's more than a little inappropriate.
On a professional level....it's about a 4 on a 0-10 scale, depending upon the outcome and the frequency. It gets a 4 just based on the tool used and the fact that they are nude while being punished. If the "spanking" leaves a mark, it goes up. If it is done with some regularity and for silly reasons, it goes up some more. It they are struck anywhere other than their bottoms...up a little more.
This type of punishment wouldn't be suitable for anyone, but is *completely* unsuitable for two pre-adolescent girls.
What you can do about it would depend upon your relationship to the children involved and whatever proof of the abuse may be available. I would certainly call CPS. Ideally, waiting until another incident has occurred. I know it sounds cruel....but if CPS shows up and there are no marks....it's just hearsay and can be easily denied.
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texasjoe
member
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 136
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OK... let me get this right.... child does something wrong... child gets stripped down to no clothing.... child gets spanked with newspaper? If this is in fact the case, it makes me extremely angry. I just refuse to accept that a child needs to be naked to get punished. Personally, I consider this inappropriate behavior that may indicate sexual deviance in the father. At a minimum, it indicates the father views women as objects to be servants to him. (IMHO) This may not be physical abuse, but I definitely think it is emotional abuse. This will not teach the children appropriate behaviors and it will not build their self confidence. I fear that these girls will suffer extreme insecurities that will cause problems in their future relationships with other adults and eventually their children. CPS may not be willing to do anything because a crime is not being committed and their lives are not endangered.
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The right to have a relationship with your child is not the same as having parental rights.
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Rebecca5
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/05
Posts: 11697
Loc: Down home.
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I think the crime or no crime issue may depend on the laws in the area. Here, striking a child anywhere other than the behind can become a criminal issue. Even if a child is struck on the behind....if it leaves a mark (bruise or breaks the skin), it's a criminal issue.
You know...the longer I've thought about this....the more it bothers me. This guy must be whacked. I feel so sorry for those girls.
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Maury
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 06/02/04
Posts: 8146
Loc: This Asylum --->
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The conduct is certainly no criminal. However, it is extraordinarily inappropriate. I qam astounderd that CPS would not act on an issue such as that.
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sugarb
enthusiast
Reged: 12/16/04
Posts: 375
Loc: In the Heartland on America
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If its inappropriate for Iraqi prisoners of war, I think its safe to say its inappropriate for pre adolescent children.
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mommynurse
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 03/26/05
Posts: 4386
Loc: Indiana
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I dunno, SugarB, the prisoners have more rights than kids. They also didn't have to count on CPS for their protection.
When I read her post, it sounded to me like dad was more than a little sexually deviant. Why does he want them naked for punishment? Something's wrong there!!! Psych is not my specialty, but even to the untrained person, this situation is enough to raise the eyebrows. If someone other than mom (a stranger) reported this, I have a feeling CPS would be all over it!
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Handed lemons? Find someone else who was handed Vodka and have a party--Ron White
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MaryWhoCares
old hand
Reged: 06/03/05
Posts: 983
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I agree. I would have a friend report the situation.
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Mary
When life hands you lemons, you make lemonaide!
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TNmom
journeyman
Reged: 04/21/05
Posts: 72
Loc: Tennessee
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A Child Therapist and local police both made reports with DCS. Because there were no open cuts or abnormal bruising on the girls they would do nothing. They were more concerned about the fact that the girls reported that the father had been placing them out on the porch in the dark and closing the door on them when they would cry for their mother. There have been many reports made to DSC regarding these girls, as well as from their Doctor. The issuse are going to court next month with or without the reconmendation from DCS.
The Therapist reported the abuse as sexual abuse,on the grounds the girls were being disclothed while being struck.
Father has told the girls that if they tell anybody what has happened, that they may put him in jail and that they would have to go live in a strangers house. Yes, it's every bit of emotional abuse and most certain will have a lasten effect on the children throughout their lives.
When DSC went out to the house, they interviewed the children with dad present!!! That within itself should tell you how concerned DCS is. You never interview children in front of the parents. He in return, said they were lying. But, one of the girls then produced the newspaper to show the case worker. Still they did nothing. Their response is that it does not meet what the state considers Child Abuse. Go figure. No wonder so many children are being abuse on a daily basis and are scared to tell anyone that it is happening. No one will help them.
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