Letter: Protecting children
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: In mid-November I witnessed a neighbour punching his eight year-old stepson in the street ("I'm sorry but your children are not your own private property", 16 March).
I remonstrated with him and later phoned the NSPCC child helpline.
Four weeks later I was telephoned by the social services and asked to make a formal statement and act as a witness in any future prosecution. I was asked to contact the child protection unit of the police and was interviewed by a police officer.
Some weeks later I rang the police to ask if I would be needed as a witness, to be told that, because of the delay between my reporting the assault and the police's involvement, they would not be able to pursue the case as there would be no physical evidence.
The case was returned to social services and shortly after they visited the family.
Within days of the visit, the tyres on my car were slashed. A month later they were slashed again, and last week my car was vandalised.
I am not suggesting that social services leaked my name but rather the family made the connection between their visit and my having challenged the father.
Other neighbours who have witnessed the children being assaulted are now even less likely to come forward to give evidence.
Having suffered hundreds of pounds worth of damage to my property I hope that, if faced with a similar situation, I would act in the same way - but I do know that I would think twice about it.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments