Reporting suspected child abuse
Is it wrong or irresponsible to report suspected child abuse simply based on a feeling? My daughter is friends with a family of kids that live down the street. These are very sweet kids and they play over our house sometimes, but I have never met the parents.. They are very cold and stand off(ish)—rarely ever outside and I’ve knocked on the door at times but there has never been an answer by them.. Only the kids answer. My daughter has only seen them for seconds at a time when she has been down there playing outside. My daughter says she hears the parents say some pretty awful things to the kids and they yell a lot. The kids also seem terrified when it’s time for them to go home—They get a panicked and nervous look on their faces, like they are going to be in trouble for something. They also have very little self esteem and confidence—they are so quiet, reserved, and afraid of making mistakes... They apologize for every little thing and don’t make eye contact(they stare down, almost as if they are afraid to look at you). I just can’t shake the feeling sometimes that something may be going on.. But it’s just a feeling. I have no proof. They seem well fed, well dressed, I’ve never seen bruises or anything. I’d hate for something to be going on and I don’t report it, but I’d also hate to be sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. Should I mind my own business or follow my “feeling”?
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