Webcam is the visitation of the future, im told.

[Sansouyu]

Hi, what do others think about neglectful/abusive parents being able to have visits with their children over webcam?

This is the situation I am in. For a more detailed picture, my daughter was taken into care and protection by DoCS earlier this year after the second subsequent hospitalisation in as many months, both hospitalisations involved broken bones and extensive bruising, while with my Ex. The latter hospitalisation had bone breaks described by the surgeon as requiring the force of a car accident. There was no explanation by my Ex for any of these injuries other than 'she hit herself with her bottle' and 'one time the pram tipped over'.

Once daughter was taken into care and protection the department gave me full time care. Once this started the caseworker wanted me to start webcam contact, I told her I didn't want to, she persisted for a week and I ended up giving in with a 'see how it goes'.

It hasn't been easy being the supervisor and parent during these sessions. My Ex has a history of intimidation, threats and always has to be in control. The only reason its a history is that the case is still in the courts and everything Ex says is being scrutinized. Ex feels safe enough to boss me around during these sessions, which I try to ignore, but I don't see why I should have to put up with it anyway? Things that effect me effect my daughter, its unavoidable. Additionally, my daughter, being 2 years old, holds little interest in webcam sessions (which frusteration Ex to no end).

I got fed up a couple of weeks ago and skipped a couple of sessions, which was followed up by the caseworker calling me and stating that 'If you don't persist with the sessions Ex can apply to the courts to get the webcam sessions court ordered'.

I feel like the caseworker has lost touch.

What does everyone think about webcam sessions for abusive/neglectful parents? Should the other parent who was not involved in the abuse/neglect be responsible for the organising and monitoring the sessions? If there was webcam visitation service offered similar to the current supervised visit method would this make it more acceptable?

Thanks.

[MumNeedsCoffee]

Seems a bit unfair to put all the stress on you to organise/monitor the webcam sessions. I agree that it would be better if there was a webcam visitation service.

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

l'd document and record the sessions and your daughters interest in it. I would make sure I could present this as fact including the way he treats you to the courts. (Tape it with a video camera or even tape recorder/i pod etc) I do not see how it could be at all benificial for her to have contact with a man who would break his daughters bones.:confused::eek:

I would tell the case worker that you are feeling pressured, that your DD has no interest as she is only 2 and does not understand. A two year old cannot be expected to sit still for a web cam visit. Also tell them that he tries to intimidate you etc. Ask them is your DD's well being and safety important?

Good luck.

[mumof2brats]

l'd document and record the sessions and your daughters interest in it. I would make sure I could present this as fact including the way he treats you to the courts. (Tape it with a video camera or even tape recorder/i pod etc) I do not see how it could be at all benificial for her to have contact with a man who would break his daughters bones.:confused::eek:

I would tell the case worker that you are feeling pressured, that your DD has no interest as she is only 2 and does not understand. A two year old cannot be expected to sit still for a web cam visit. Also tell them that he tries to intimidate you etc. Ask them is your DD's well being and safety important?

Good luck.

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

[Mrs Nietzsche]

How awful (your daughter's injuries).

How does she feel about it? Does she want to talk to her father?

Can you get any help from a counsellor? Would DOCS organise yuor daughter to see one or is that not something they do.

On the one hand I can see that webcam visits might be a safe way to satisfy the father's demands.. but is it supposed to be a first step along the way to physical visits? Is he getting any help? Was he charged? Is there any reason to think he will change in the future?

[talia11]

l'd document and record the sessions and your daughters interest in it. I would make sure I could present this as fact including the way he treats you to the courts. (Tape it with a video camera or even tape recorder/i pod etc) I do not see how it could be at all benificial for her to have contact with a man who would break his daughters bones.:confused::eek:

I would tell the case worker that you are feeling pressured, that your DD has no interest as she is only 2 and does not understand. A two year old cannot be expected to sit still for a web cam visit. Also tell them that he tries to intimidate you etc. Ask them is your DD's well being and safety important?

Good luck.


:iagree: See this is why DoCS really bothers me - there is no way he should be having any contact with her at all - has he been charged at all?