If Gretchen were a close friend of mine and she told me about her problems, I would probably cry, maybe have a mental break down, then I would tell my mom. I honestly would have no idea what to at first. I would be sad, and I would really want to get an adult involved who might be better equipped at dealing with the situation. First, I would tell her my concern for her safety. I would tell her that emotional abuse and physical abuse are wrong and she deserves better. I would assure her that I will stand by, ready to talk or help, if she asks. Then I would give her time to decide what she wants to do with me supporting her.
I would acknowledge she is in a difficult and scary situation. I would reassure her that she is not alone and that there is help and support out there. I would say I believe you,thank you for talking to me about this. It's brave of you, I will keep this confidential, and you don't deserve to be abused.
In the time that the novel was written times were different,and the response to abuse was different. I'm not sure how, I just know it was, and I don't know what option she would have had. I do know of some option that could help if she lived nowadays.
Personally I would report it, tell her to report it. I know she might not want to report if for fear that it'll make it worse or that it will anger her dad, but it needs to happen. She can report it to CPS or have someone do it for her. She can show bruises to mandated reporters like teachers. Many options. Maybe I would tell her to show her bruises to teacher. They have to report it to CPS, and they can send someone to the school to check her out without her parents knowing. Then they could call police to the school to go home with her to make sure nothing bad happens. She could say that she didn't tell anyone. That the teacher just noticed. Im not sure. I think if the allegations of abuse or neglect are substantiated, the child protection agency will evaluate the case and determine if intervention is necessary. Interventions are dependent on the severity of the circumstances, hers is severe so intervention would definitely be necessary,which is good. This intervention could be off home placement or the termination of parental rights. That is exactly what she needs to have happen. Her case is very complex though, because her dad is so good a deceiving.
I would acknowledge she is in a difficult and scary situation. I would reassure her that she is not alone and that there is help and support out there. I would say I believe you,thank you for talking to me about this. It's brave of you, I will keep this confidential, and you don't deserve to be abused.
In the time that the novel was written times were different,and the response to abuse was different. I'm not sure how, I just know it was, and I don't know what option she would have had. I do know of some option that could help if she lived nowadays.
Personally I would report it, tell her to report it. I know she might not want to report if for fear that it'll make it worse or that it will anger her dad, but it needs to happen. She can report it to CPS or have someone do it for her. She can show bruises to mandated reporters like teachers. Many options. Maybe I would tell her to show her bruises to teacher. They have to report it to CPS, and they can send someone to the school to check her out without her parents knowing. Then they could call police to the school to go home with her to make sure nothing bad happens. She could say that she didn't tell anyone. That the teacher just noticed. Im not sure. I think if the allegations of abuse or neglect are substantiated, the child protection agency will evaluate the case and determine if intervention is necessary. Interventions are dependent on the severity of the circumstances, hers is severe so intervention would definitely be necessary,which is good. This intervention could be off home placement or the termination of parental rights. That is exactly what she needs to have happen. Her case is very complex though, because her dad is so good a deceiving.