HawthorneVillager.com

Across the street from me lives a family.
A couple with 3 very young children. They are constantly fighting.
They are so loud sometimes that we can hear everything across the street. Recently my husband witnessed the mother and father fighting and being not only verbally but also physically abusive to each other.
This is very sad, as their children are quite young and are witnessing this.
Its really not any of our business, but I wouldnt want to find out in the near future that someone got really hurt in this family.
LOOKING FOR ADVISE. WHAT TO DO?

I'd call the police. That way it's on record that there's been a domestic dispute should something more serious happen in the future. Poor kids shouldn't be exposed to that kind of crap. I'd call everytime you witness these fights.

Also, it's obviously preventing you from enjoying your home when you can hear them fighting, so calling the police is appropriate, IMO.

We've been living on this particular street just short of 3 months.
We have met and talk when we see each other outside.
Its a very nice young family, but we witnessed them fighting several times.

It really concerns me now that they are actually physically abusive to each other

what are the fighting about?...just kidding.

Maggie..Do u think this couple speaks english or they speak different language..I know its a quiet funny question but no offence..when my neighbours speaks in their language, their hand movements and the way they talk, it seems like they r yelling or fighting..but when they talk in english they speak in fine tone.. anyway u should call the cops if u C them being abusive to each other on the street.
I had to call the cops once on my neighbours cause they were having a party in their backyard, which is fine but music was way too loud @ 1am and suddenly they start screaming and yelling in the language they speak, i try to sneak and i saw 2 guyz hitting each other in a way like they r drunk or something..I called the cops and it turned out to be the weird game they were playing..I have the most weird neighbours in HV.
I just stopped sticking my nose to my neighbours anymore..I just dont care now if they r dying or whatever in their language..Lolzz

well I cant tell u what language they speak..I dont want to hurt anyone's feelings Like i said no offence but anyway
The good part is they dont know that i called the cops that night..they still think that other neighbour did that..I like to shut my mouth when sometimes they swear at other neighbour..those guyz always argue

THEY SPEAK ONLY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

to the person under the name FETAJR
Im really not understanding as to what you found really funny in my text???
This is a really serious problem as they have 3 very small children. One is well under a year old

Maggie - if you find that those babies are in harms way then call the police. I know that lots of us have either lived with or been witness to abuse, and we need to start doing something rather than turn the other cheek. If something happens to either of the children or parents, it will be on all of our conscience since we now know about it and did nothing.... JMHO

I have gone ahead and emailed Halton Police. They told me to call the Patrol officer right away next time this happens.

If you suspect a child is a victim of abuse or neglect, report your concerns to Child Protection at the Department of Social Development as soon as possible. You do not need proof. It is not your role to look for evidence or interview the child. Do not notify the parents. In an emergency just call the police - 911.
The abuse of a child is a serious problem. Everyone has a "DUTY" to report a suspicion of child abuse.

I had a friend who neighbor's wife and children never said hello to them. The man was very friendly and always said hello, the wife and children just quietly ran into the house. They thought the wife and children where kinda strange or snobby or something... Later they found out, the the man was extremely abusive to them, but it was too late the man seriously harmed one of the children.

They feel bad for not noticing that something was wrong, even if nothing is wrong it is better to call the police and protect the children just in case.

Report it at useyourvoice.ca or parlezpoureux.ca

Child abuse isn’t always obvious
Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies launch public education campaign
The Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies (OACAS) and its member agencies are
educating Ontarians about child abuse through this year’s public education campaign during
October’s Child Abuse Prevention Month to ensure children and youth are safe, healthy and
well cared for.
This year, the public is reminded that “Abused children don’t always look it,” because child
abuse isn’t always obvious. Ontarians can learn more about child abuse, how to recognize the
subtle and obvious signs of abuse and how to report it at useyourvoice.ca or parlezpoureux.ca
Useyourvoice.ca is the focal point of this education campaign and provides information on
identifying and reporting abuse. The website is a critical tool for the community to learn about
the types and signs of abuse, and what to do when you suspect abuse is happening. The
website also provides information for children on recognizing abuse and what to do.
The purple ribbon, symbol of October’s Child Abuse Prevention Campaign, is in its fifteenth year
and will be seen all over Ontario. Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies participate in the bilingual
provincial campaign and promote the message and the purple ribbon symbol in their local
communities with purple ribbons, wristbands, pins and buttons. The provincial campaign
includes provincial advertising, media relations and a launch event in Toronto.
The OACAS and Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies benefit from the support of corporate, public
and community partners to educate Ontarians about child abuse prevention – because, we owe
our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.
In 2006-2007, Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies investigated 81,829 reports of child abuse from
concerned citizens, neighbours, family members, health professionals, teachers or police
officers about children in need of protection, a rise of 28 per cent since 1999-2000. Ontario’s
Children’s Aid Societies rely on concerned citizens to be their eyes and ears to effectively
protect children from harm and danger. Last year, we provided care to more than 29,000
children in Ontario who suffered some form of abuse and could not safely remain with family or
relatives, an increase of 14 per cent in seven years.
No child should suffer from abuse. However, the reality is different and we know that there are
many factors that contribute to the abuse of children in Ontario. Child protection services treat
just the symptoms of serious social problems such as domestic violence, poverty, deficiency in
parenting, mental health and addiction.
Ontario’s Children’s Aid Societies protect children from abuse including neglect, promote their
well-being within their families and communities, and provide a safe, nurturing place for children
and youth to grow up. There are 53 Children’s Aid Societies in Ontario. They are incorporated
not-for-profit agencies governed by volunteer boards of directors elected from the local
community and funded by the Province of Ontario. OACAS is a membership organization
representing Children’s Aid Societies (CASs) in Ontario and the voice of child welfare in Ontario.

Christina - I work with children under the care of an area Children's Aid agency and physical abuse most definitely can occur regardless of bruising . There is also child abuse that can be of an emotional/psychological and of a sexual nature. If people are physically assaulting their partner in front of their children that is abusive and damaging to the children.

Maggie - If you see the couple assaulting each other physically please call the police. If they are doing this in public view of others I wonder what they are doing perhaps to each other or the children behind closed doors.

Also consider calling your local Children's Aid in Halton region and you will speak to an intake worker trained to take complaints/concerns like yours. They will listen to what you are describing and make the professional decision whether they need to intervene and investigate further. No one likes to report people but in this type of situation you may be doing the family a favour in helping them get the help they need.

Regardless, the need to assure the safety of the children is the most important priority and I think it's great that you care enough to be concerned.

Well put christnaDio. IMO I think if a husband and wife are fighting with each other in front of their children yes this is a shame. But I can not say I would get involved by calling the police. It is very unfortunate but what can you really do. You said they are being abusive to one another so it really isn't a matter of only one person getting physically abused. The police aren't going to do anything. Pay them a visit and say they received a complaint. You'll never know if the children are being physically abused unless you have seen it with your own eyes. Its a real touchy thing. I mean they could have a bruise but how do you know it didn't happen while playing. I understand you feel for the children but sometime things are better left unsaid. Maybe try and get to know them a little better maybe then you could draw a better conclusion.

_________________
John
http://s844.photobucket.com/albums/ab9/ ... al%20Tile/

Regardless of whether both parties are physically assaulting each other or not one or both are at risk of being seriously injured. If they are engaging in this in front of a child, what happens if the child tries to step in to stop them (very common) and gets seriously injured?

IMO better to do what you can than believing some things are better left unsaid (in your words.) Children are powerless in these volatile situations and deserve other adults to step out of their "comfort zone" and do the right thing.

I apologise if this has been answered but to the original poster what exactly was going on that you saw, that you feel defines physically abuse?