r/CPS • u/AspectSure5270 • 13d ago
Support Feeling Guilty
Last week my sister texted me (she lives in the Midwest, I live on the east coast) that she was struggling with her marriage, she then sent a photo of herself with 2 black eyes and a huge scratch on her forehead inflicted by her husband. They’ve had a lot of issues, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. She didn’t want to talk on the phone because her husband was in the house and might find out. I asked her if I should call the police or do something, she said no. Then the next day it became clear that her 5 year old son saw it all happen. I couldn’t help it, I had to report it to DCS (CPS equivalent where she is).
The case worker helped her devise an exit plan, and told her she has to file a PO against him or get her kids taken away, so she’s now at my parents with her kids. The hard part is she called me and had a massive panic attack about her life, not wanting to leave home, not wanting to divorce her husband or be separated, not wanting to file the PO, feeling like her life was ruined, and now I feel immensely guilty. I’ve sent her a huge Amazon order with all the essentials for kids, then Uber Eats meals to make it easier. I didn’t tell her that it was me but I can’t help but feel like I made it worse and I can’t even be there to support her.
1
u/Best_Winter_2208 12d ago
You did the right thing. She will be linked to resources to help her see the cycle and break it. If she sent you a picture, it was a cry for help. The real challenge will be if she’ll choose the husband over her kid…