VIC Child Protection Caused Stress to My Sister - Recourse?

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speck101

Active Member
19 June 2018
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Now I don't know who they are at the moment, I'm going on what my mother and sister have been sharing with me. I don't live with them at the moment.

Today, 2 women approached my 12-year-old sister whilst at school, telling her they are the police and need to meet with my mother.

Later today, after my mum & aunt picked her up from school and headed home, the same 2 women were parked outside waiting for us to arrive and they step out of the vehicle. They had chats with my mum & sister that same afternoon. English is a 2nd language for my mum so they had an interpreter on the phone.

Now as of 11pm, my sister is very upset and has been crying! They seem to have caused a great deal of stress because she's now realised they've lied to her about being the "police" yet coming to my mother as "child protection". I believe she feels a sense of betrayal/deceit to herself and our family by which I am not very happy about.

If it is true (which my sister has no reason to lie about), those 2 women should've told her they were Child Protection and if she didn't understand, should have elaborated/explained to her in a better way. My sister is already under anxiety and this really p's me off about how it was dealt!

Few questions:

What can I do about that? Who are they really and should I charge them, with what? What are our next steps moving forward from this night?

If we were thinking for her to take leave from school until she's no longer too stressed and she deems herself able again. Who can I go to for paperwork (if needed) and what do I report to the school?

Any further help I should know?

By the way I can't apply any tags.. what gives?

The following error occurred:

You may not create new tags. Please change the following tags: child, protection, stress, anxiety, lied, deceitful, leave, agency
 

sammy01

Well-Known Member
27 September 2015
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Did they leave a phone number?

What was the nature of the conversation?

I think it more likely that something got lost in translation than these women lied. They would not have gotten access to your sister at school unless they could prove who they were and the principal was satisfied with the information they provided...
 

speck101

Active Member
19 June 2018
9
0
31
Did they leave a phone number?

What was the nature of the conversation?

I think it more likely that something got lost in translation than these women lied. They would not have gotten access to your sister at school unless they could prove who they were and the principal was satisfied with the information they provided...

Hi Sammy, it's about my sister and me.

I'm a genuine person and feeling swearing like suicidal thoughts if the community keeps putting me down like that with their opinions...

Not sure if they left a number, will have to ask my mother.

Obviously that that was a public forum, hence I sought out something more specific and found LawAnswers.

Praying that people here can give help without bias and provide some real help.

Regarding the women lying, of course they can tell the principal/staff they are Child Protection, any adult would understand what that means. But telling my little sister outright they are the police is deceitful. People can't go around claiming different organisations like that surely? My sister felt taken advantage of/betrayed which resulted in bawling her eyes out late last night :(
 

Lennon

Well-Known Member
11 September 2014
270
36
719
Now as of 11pm, my sister is very upset and has been crying! They seem to have caused a great deal of stress because she's now realised they've lied to her about being the "police" yet coming to my mother as "child protection". I believe she feels a sense of betrayal/deceit to herself and our family by which I am not very happy about.

If it is true (which my sister has no reason to lie about), those 2 women should've told her they were Child Protection and if she didn't understand, should have elaborated/explained to her in a better way. My sister is already under anxiety and this really p's me off about how it was dealt!

Few questions:

What can I do about that? Who are they really and should I charge them, with what? What are our next steps moving forward from this night?

If we were thinking for her to take leave from school until she's no longer too stressed and she deems herself able again. Who can I go to for paperwork (if needed) and what do I report to the school?

Regarding the women lying, of course they can tell the principal/staff they are Child Protection, any adult would understand what that means. But telling my little sister outright they are the police is deceitful. People can't go around claiming different organisations like that surely? My sister felt taken advantage of/betrayed which resulted in bawling her eyes out late last night :(

I disagree that your sister has "no reason to lie". I can think of plenty of reasons why she might lie. She may have been trying to make an excuse for why she told the investigators certain information, for example.

Why would the DCP lie to your sister about being the police? What possible motive would they have?

Frankly as you are apparently the person who is being investigated for the abuse of your sister, you should stay the hell out of it!
 

speck101

Active Member
19 June 2018
9
0
31
I disagree that your sister has "no reason to lie". I can think of plenty of reasons why she might lie. She may have be trying to make an excuse for why she told the investigators certain information, for example.

Why would the DCP lie to your sister about being the police? What possible motive would they have?

Frankly as you are apparently the person who is being investigated for the abuse of your sister, you should stay the hell out of it!!!

One of you again...

It's ridiculous how you try to point the finger at my sis but totally dismiss the why of two individuals from DCP.

Clearly you don't know my family or our values. Only we and closest friends know. Now kindly go away as I can't imagine you giving any helpful input.
 

Lennon

Well-Known Member
11 September 2014
270
36
719
Go ask your family and friends for advice then, and stop wasting our time if you’re not interested in the opinions of independent adults.
 

speck101

Active Member
19 June 2018
9
0
31
Go ask your family and friends for advice then, and stop wasting our time if you’re not interested in the opinions of independent adults.

I'd rather seek any other reasonable forum member's opinion, than you barking orders at me with that attitude. Stop wasting your time and this space. Once again I'll ask you to peacefully leave this thread, as due to no benefit to my original queries.
 

Rod

Lawyer
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
27 May 2014
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2,894
www.hutchinsonlegal.com.au
People impersonating police can be charged with a criminal offense.

You'd need to involve the police and this is a serious matter however it is unlikely to be acted upon if there is only the word of a 12 year old. You'd need corroborating evidence from someone else (ie not you).

If the allegations are against you then you a best staying out of the matter to avoid making the situation worse.

If your stated concern for your little sister is true, then stay away from the situation and let your mother and her support group manage the situation.
 
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speck101

Active Member
19 June 2018
9
0
31
People impersonating police can be charged with a criminal offense.

You'd need to involve the police and this is a serious matter however it is unlikely to be acted upon if there is only the word of a 12 year old. You'd need corroborating evidence from someone else (ie not you).

If the allegations are against you then you a best staying out of the matter to avoid making the situation worse.

If your stated concern for your little sister is true, then stay away from the situation and let your mother and her support group manage the situation.

Thanks Rod, yes will leave it to my mum's supporting group.
Curious does DCP have power to take the child off school premise without letting the mother know? My uncle/aunt's called the school and during 9:00-3:20 we feel OK that the school will do what they have to do and notify mum, but after 3:20pm said it is out of their control where-ever the students wander.
I just have too many concerns as my mother's English is limited and 2 brains are better than one.