04/01: Teenagers Abused by Parents

Teenagers who are abused by parents either physically or emotionally must be courageous. Many times they feel that they will not be believed if they report the abuse and do not have proof of their injury. They want to get away from their parents and/or get help but do not know how. This article is for them.


Teenagers being abused must get out of the house and take shelter somewhere safe. An ideal place is the local emergency department even if the injury is emotional rather than physical. The emergency department is preferred over the police department because the injury can be treated immediately and it will be documented in medical records. A teenager who presents themselves to the emergency department at their local hospital and reports the abuse will have the benefit of the physician duty to report the abuse and will not have to take further action to report the abuse to the authorities. Furthermore, where the police may not believe the injuries took place or believe the teenager, a physician can determine the truth with diagnostic testing (such as x-rays in the case of physical abuse or a psychological examination in the case of emotional abuse) and/or by experience.

The teenager will have to be strong and persistent. They must contact the local police to file a police report to be included in the legal record. Then, the police will be on notice should future abuse take place. It does not matter if the abuse was in the past, the police report can still be made. If the police do not protect the teenager, then they must call child protective services, and/or the prosecutor's office in the county in which they live and ask to speak with a prosecutor. Internet savvy teenagers can look up the phone numbers on the internet or the numbers can also be found in the phone book in the government pages. The internet address for Child Protective Services of Ingham county is http://www.ingham.org/co/fiaindex.htm.

The authorities should take steps to place the teenager outside the home either with a relative or in another suitable environment. The teenager can request that the parents not see them unless the visit is supervised and/or unless the parent gets counseling. Furthermore, mature teenagers can petition for emancipation so that they do not have to live with relatives who are biased to the parent or with foster parents.

It is very important for the teenager to always record the date, time, number, and name of the person called, as well as take notes as to any conversation. Furthermore, teenagers should not be concerned with being labeled a runaway as reasonable persons must take themselves out of harm's way and if this means running away to a safe place, it is perfectly acceptable. Finally, it is legal for a teenager to defend themselves from harm if they are being harmed using reasonable force.


Comments

refadmin wrote:

Dear Sharlene:

I do not know Singapore law to provide information on it to you. I can say that you must protect yourself and stay true to yourself in life rather than anyone else. You owe it to yourself to do the right thing for you, not your father.

Your father may become more violent if you don't take action and he may become more violent if you do. As you are in a cycle of abuse that is mental and physical and very hard to get out of, you will have to stay strong to succeed, and it is appropriate for you to rely on your teacher.
15/08 10:29:59

Sharlene wrote:

Im from Singapore. I was searching on the web and found your website. My father hits my siblings and I. Im 16 this year. Just last year, I think i got about 1000 strokes. Now, he threatens a lot. and i am very afraid of him when he is angry. But when he is not, he is super nice and loving. I've told my teacher and she wants to report it to the Ministry. But i told her to hold on first. I really want it to change. But im scared that my dad will think that i ratted on him. I really do love him.
15/08 09:49:45

Stavi wrote:

We have been trying to get people to listen to us about the neglect, but it seems like no one is going to do anything! there is one police officer we have gotten close to and she seems determined to get my brothers away from him. They have been evicted twice, and I think that from the paths he is choosing, everyone should realize what a neglectful father he is.
15/06 10:38:00

refadmin wrote:

Dear Stavi:

I am so proud of you for calling the police.

Now that the police know about the abuse, the prosecutor should become involved. The prosecutor should sit down with you and discuss the situation. Additional charges should be brought for the abuse on your brothers. Perhaps the attorney general should become informed about the daycare.

Email me directly to see if I can help you.
15/06 10:21:08

Stavi wrote:

I called my mom and told her my step dad was abusing me. She called the police, the police assisted me out of the home, but left all my brothers there! They are still being neglected and abused. The step-dad who has guardianship of them (because my mom lost custody and he fought for guardianship) he basically frauds the state saying they are at "daycare". Then the "day care sitter" and the step-dad make a deal to split the money. Im not sure how this could be proven, but I am only 16 years old, so no one is gonna take me seriously! But I am a very mature young lady, who knows exactly what is going on in that household... and I want my brothers safe and that crook to get what he deserves.
15/06 10:11:24

refadmin wrote:

Dear AMF:

If you were abused as a child, you must not be in the custody of your abuser.

Email me directly at lawref@lawrefs.com to assist you in your sensitive situation more confidentially.
16/04 12:53:15

AMF wrote:

What if you were abuse as a child. from ages 5-9. sexually.
16/04 12:42:31

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