Amy's Story
As a family preservation worker, I have been sent to Amy's house because the social services agency has received police reports of abuse against Amy, and because there are two children in the family this is a legal cause for the visit. If an adult member of the family has reported abuse by another adult, it can be assumed that the children are not safe, or at least are vulnerable to potential abuse.
Summary of the Case. In arriving at Amy's house to interview Amy and the husband -- without the children present -- there is a noticeable tension in the house. Amy has bruises on her left arm and when I ask how she got the bruises, she explains that she is in a city recreational slow-pitch softball league and she was hit by a line drive. I ask what the name of the team is -- and when she sustained the injury -- and Vince, the husband, butts in: "What is this, an interrogation of my wife's recreational activities? She told you she was hit in the arm by a softball and I suggest that you take her at her word," he commanded, in a sharp, accusatory tone.
"Sir,...
When he barked at me I could detect the smell of alcohol on his breath and it was 10:30 in the morning on a Saturday. I ask to see the children, and Amy, a quiet woman who has the look of "deer in the headlights" on her face, goes into another room and comes back with a toddler and a younger baby.
"Aren't you going to take pictures of the fact that the boys are perfectly healthy and happy?" Vince asks, again in a threatening tone of voice. I merely thanked Amy and was careful not to seem to investigative as to my observation of the boys. My immediate concerns, which I write into my report, are: a) the father is drinking in the morning and is angry and rude to me; b) the mother has bruises and fear in her eyes; c) there is a noticeable tension in the room and the boys seem strangely quiet; and d) the police report indicated that Amy was frightened because Vince tried to strangle her and he…
