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My great niece is living with me for last month. The

Customer Question

My great niece is...

My great niece is living with me for last month. The Merredin police asked me to pick her up and if I could look after her as they had assessed her as at risk at home and where going to get dept of child's protection to look into it. DCP have opened a case but haven't spoken to her yet as the police have also opened a case. Ruby ( great niece) has been interviewed by the children's police unit in Perth sterling Street, on 15th of march. I am still waiting to her what is going to happen. Ruby is 14 years old and doesn't want to go home or to even talk to her parents. She is getting lots of messages and phone calls that she isn't answering from parents and parents friends trying to make her talk to the parents. Police asked that she doesn't talk to them until after interview as they were worried parents may scare her into not talking to police. She has disclosed some disturbing information about her parents behaviour towards her. I'm wondering what happens next and if legally she has to have contact with parents.

Lawyer's Assistant: What state are they in? It matters because laws vary by location.

In western australia

Lawyer's Assistant: Are there any relevant dates or timelines to consider with this?

She lived with me between June 22021 to December 2021 at parents request then was taken home. On 19th of February 2022 she came back at police request. The abuse has been going on for some years from what I can gather.

Lawyer's Assistant: Is there anything else the Lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured that they'll be able to help you.

Do you need to know what she has told me

Submitted: 1 year ago.Category: Australia Law

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3/22/2022

Solicitor: John Melis, Lawyer replied 1 year ago

John Melis, Lawyer

Category: Australia Law

Satisfied Customers: 36,302

Experience: Family Law, Commercial Law, Property law, Probate & Wills, Employment Law, International Law, Criminal and Traffic Law, Litigation Tribunal & Courts

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Hi! My name is***** a solicitor in Australia, and I’m happy to help you.

Can you tell me what was the disturbing information about her parents that your niece has disclosed to you?

Customer reply replied 1 year ago

Ruby has tried to commit suicide many times twice ending in being flown to Perth hospital. She told me she took the tablets that where in the back shed. Her parents had lots of different ones that they get at a house and come home with in a plastic bag. The other times she has taken an overdose her parents refused to take her to hospital and let her sleep it off for two days. After she woke up she was made to sit in a corner all day with nothing to do, this happened for a few days as punishment. She is terrified of her mother and Saif she hide in her room because as soon as she came out her mum would go psycho. She was made to sleep in her mums bed with her younger sister and her mum masturbatory next to them with a dildo. She arrived with bruises all over her legs but just said she woke up with them. She was only allowed out to school never to visit friends. She was very thin and said they didn't have much food. There are other things too but I will have to look over notes but these were the ones that worried me the most. I don't know what she told the police when they interviewed her.

Solicitor: John Melis, Lawyer replied 1 year ago

You may apply for a restraining order.

Restraining orders apply to various matters; such as violence, psychological abuse, financial abuse, verbal abuse, or an imminent fear of violence, or where children hear or witness the same.

Customer reply replied 1 year ago

I have been hoping that DCP and the police will do these things if necessary. I was wondering if because she is 14 will she be able to have a say about where she livesOr apply for temporary guardianship

Solicitor: John Melis, Lawyer replied 1 year ago

You can resolve the issue by applying to the Enduring Guardianship Division of the State Tribunal online.

The tribunal has the power to appoint or remove a guardian.

The guardian protects the person's needs and interests by making personal and health care decisions on their behalf when they have impaired decision-making capacity.

The tribunal website has excellent resources to assist you.

Solicitor: John Melis, Lawyer replied 1 year ago

I hope this message finds you well.

Just recapping your situation:

If you have not been able to resolve the issue with DCP, what I would suggest you do is reach out to legal aid. Legal aid will then be able to have a look at your situation. Keep in mind legal aid as means tested. Otherwise, as I have said above, apply for the enduring guardianship division through the tribunal.

It was my pleasure to help you today, and I thank you for chatting with me. Thank you for using our site.

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