12 year old girl taken by father

[teawith2]

I wonder if any of you can help, I am writing on behalf of my friend. She has a daughter aged 12, and split from the violent father approx 6 years ago, he broke my friends bones and all sorts. It went to court about the daughter and he got set times to see her but only at the mums address, not his, he has never conributed to his daughter either in general or on birthdays or xmas.....to cut a long story short, he took the daughter out just before xmas and didnt bring her back home and has drummed allsorts into the childs head about her mum, my friend has been ringing her daughter and the girl is calling her mum some terrible names with the father calling out he wishes she was dead in the background, this man is very manipulative and has been in banged up here and there for gun crime and violence, he has told my friend if she starts anything he will kill her, she has had the stuffing knocked out of her and cant stop crying, she is a brilliant mum and has give her daughter tthe best life she can, my question is, what is the best course of action to take? My friend is obviously distraught and I want to help her as much as I can! Thanks

[Kassee]

Ring Social Services - go and see them - if the father is violent, and the child is not going to school, then any thing could be happening to her.

What ever she is saying on the phone I would dismiss - she may be scared and is saying what she is told to say. He is manipulative and violent - dont leave your daughter with him - get social services to help and police and solicitor.

[Eve]

I agree with those who advised contacting Social Services who I would assume can help liaise with the police as appropriate.

If she is worried about the threats then she should address this with them, I'm sure they could make their own (ie not "direct" from your friend) approach based on the fact she is missing school and with a parent with a violent past who does not have legal custody - I'm hoping my faith in Social Services is not over enthusiastic here.

They would have to act in the best interests of the child. They should also be able to advise on potential options for her if she feels threatened.

If they get involved it may give her a chance to speak to responsible adults and, at least, get her back into school where there are other adults she can speak to if she has been threatened at all, is unhappy etc...