Damaged: The Heartbreaking True Story of a Forgotten Child by Cathy Glass

Author:Cathy Glass [Glass, Cathy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3, pdf
Tags: Non-Fiction, Biography, Azizex666, Psychology
ISBN: 0007236360
Google: KTmSHEqlZE4C
Amazon: B002RI9TWI
Goodreads: 12268914
Publisher: Harper Element
Published: 2007-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Nosy Cow

I sat at my desk writing, logging in my diary the vile details of Jodie’s sexual degradation. I felt sick to my core. The active involvement of Jodie’s mother in the abuse was such an appalling inversion of the maternal role and everything we feel mothers should be. We foster carers were supposed to be non-judgemental but there is a cut-off point and, for me, this was it. I could hardly bear to record Jodie’s childish conclusion that, because her father had warmed the object used to defile her, this act of kindness made him less culpable.

As soon as Jill received my emailed report, she phoned. ‘Jesus,’ she said. ‘It’s a wonder the poor child’s functioning at all with all this.’

‘She isn’t really. And she’s functioning less with every new disclosure.’ As I said it, I realized the truth. On a day-to-day basis, there were ups and downs, bad days and better days; but if I stood back for a moment and considered it all carefully, I could see that in reality it was a steady decline. Jodie was getting worse. ‘I’m out of my depth, Jill.’

Jill could hear the rising panic in my voice. She said soothingly, ‘OK, don’t worry. You’re seeing the psychologist next week, aren’t you?’

‘Monday.’

‘Why don’t you ask her for some strategies to help? I know that’s not why she’s there, but she might be able to offer something. It’s worth a try.’

‘Thanks, Jill. That’s a good idea.’ I felt a small vestige of comfort. ‘I’ll see what she says.’

Jill was right. The psychologist had been appointed by the court to assess Jodie as part of the ongoing care proceedings, and it wasn’t her role to advise me, or to offer therapy for Jodie. Still, it was a glimmer of hope – surely she would have some idea of what I might do.

The bureaucratic wheels were grinding slowly on, as Jodie’s case worked its way through the system. Jodie had been brought into care under an Interim Care Order, which meant that the court would decide at a later date whether to return her to her family, or to issue a Full Care Order. The psychologist would meet Jodie a number of times before filing her report, as this was a crucial part of the court’s decision-making process.

The court had set dates for two ‘direction hearings’ in January and March, which would be followed by a ‘final court hearing’ in May. The purpose of the direction hearings was to allow the judge to consider the evidence that had been presented so far, so that he or she could take interim decisions in the child’s interests, without having to wait for the final court proceedings to be resolved. Throughout the process, the guardian ad litum would meet with all the parties and provide the judge with an objective assessment, making recommendations in the best interests of the child. In practice, judges tend to be guided by the guardian ad litum, and usually follow his or her recommendations.

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