Process Record: Child Abduction Case

Question

DATE: Thursday 22nd of August, 2024
TIME: 9.AM – 9:20AM
LOCATION: Community Development Office, Front Desk Section
CLIENT NAME: Susan Bariko (Child Mother).
CHILD NAME: Esslyn Bariko
AGE: Four (4) Months Old
PROCESS RECORDER NAME: Nobert Iwares (UOG Trainee Student).

Content of the situation
The client (Susan Bariko), a distressed mother, reported an incident involving her 4-month-old baby who had been abducted by her father (Kepas Bariko) following a heated argument. Thus, the couple resides in Lopi, and the father is originally from Bena while the mother is from Kainantu. The mother emphasized the urgency of the situation, expressing that her baby was still breastfeeding and that the abduction was deeply traumatic for both her and the child.
Hence, she conveyed her desperation for the safe return of her baby, highlighting the need for breastfeeding and maternal bonding at this crucial stage of the infant's development. The mother provided additional information about the father's background, his motivations for the abduction, the fathers’ location and her concerns for the baby’s wellbeing without her care
All in all, the situation involves a mother whose baby has been taken by her husband after a big argument. During this fight, her husband decided to leave with their child without asking her first.
The mother is feeling very scared and worried about her baby's safety. She doesn’t know if her husband can take care of the baby right now. Along with fear, she feels angry and betrayed because she trusted her husband and didn’t expect him to act this way.
She also feels helpless and confused, wondering how things got so bad between them. There’s a deep sadness in her as she misses her child and the happy family life they used to have.
Knowing this is a serious situation, she has reached out to the police and child welfare services for help. She is anxious and feels a strong need to find her baby and bring them back home safely. Her love for her child drives her to take action, hoping to reunite with them soon.
Skills Used
1. Active Listening: I ensured that I listened attentively to the mother's concerns, validating her feelings and showing empathy for her distress. I maintained eye contact and used verbal affirmations to encourage her to share more.
2. Empathy: I expressed understanding of her situation, recognizing her fears about the potential harm to her baby and the emotional toll this situation was causing her.
3. Crisis Intervention Techniques: I used techniques like active listening, empathy and problem solving approach to help the mother manage her emotional state, offering reassurance and helping her to articulate her needs clearly. For instance, I immediately reported the cases to child protection officer (Lilly).
4. Information Gathering: I asked open-ended questions to obtain all relevant details about the incident, the father, and any previous conflicts that might have led to this situation.
5. Safety Planning: Discussed possible immediate actions she can take, including contacting local authorities and reaching out to family or community members who might assist in locating the father and child.
Gut Reactions or Feelings
In reflecting on my own feelings during this intense situation, I experienced a profound emotional response that often felt like a storm of emotions. Firstly, there was a strong surge of empathy that enveloped me as I listened to the mother's plight or situation. Her pain resonated deeply within me, compelling me to want to take action and be a source of support. This sense of urgency to help was not just an instinctive reaction but stemmed from my values and commitment to advocating for those in distress.
At times, I felt overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation and the emotional weight it carried, both for the mother and the infant. Balancing these emotions with professionalism was challenging, but I focused on providing a supportive and safe environment for the mother.
My Thoughts
I reflected on the importance of effective communication and advocacy in cases like this. It became clear to me that time was of the essence, given the baby’s age and dependency on breastfeeding. I noted the necessity of a multi-faceted approach that might include legal intervention, mediation with local authorities, and community support to ensure the mother’s voice was amplified.
Additionally, I considered the potential for psychological support for the mother, recognizing that the trauma from the abduction might have lasting effects on her mental health. I thought about the value of empathy and compassion, holistic support and family reunification services and how vital they are in similar situations.
In examining the client's actions during the exchange, it seems that the mother has experienced a highly emotional and stressful situation, which likely influenced her responses and decisions. Her immediate concerns regarding her baby's well-being were paramount, and this focus has affected her ability to communicate clearly or to effectively advocate for herself in a crisis.
Hence, some examples of what could have been done differently can include, immediate support and guidance, mental health resources, clear communication of rights and community mobilization. For instance, engaging local community organizations dedicated to supporting mothers in similar situations might have created a network of assistance, which could include childcare, legal advocacy, and psychological support.
The Role of Welfare Services
1. Protection of the Child: In regards to the above situation the child protection officer ensure the safety and well-being of the child is at paramount. Thus, they intervened in cases of abduction and work with law enforcement to facilitate the return of the child to the mother.
2. Crisis Intervention: Also, it was seen that welfare services provide immediate support to the mother during this traumatic experience, by offering emotional support and crisis management strategies to help her cope with her distress.
3. Coordination with Law Enforcement: Additionally, welfare workers work collaborates with law enforcement to report the abduction, gather necessary information, and coordinate efforts to locate the child.
4. Advocacy for the Mother: Furthermore, they advocate for the mother's rights, ensuring that her concerns are acknowledged, and her needs are met while informing her about her legal options.
5. Resource Provision: Moreover, it was also seen that welfare agencies connect the mother with resources such as legal aid, support groups, and community services for additional assistance regarding childcare, and metal health support.
6. Legal Guidance: Not only that but also, welfare division offered information about the legal framework surrounding custody and child abduction, helping the mother understand her rights and available actions.
7. Follow-Up Services: After the crisis was addressed, welfare services provide ongoing support to monitor the situation and ensure the safety and well-being of both the child and the mother.
Next Step
1. Connect the mother with law enforcement to formally report the abduction and initiate a search for the father and the child.
2. Collaborate with social services to explore options for immediate support and recovery services for the mother.
3. Suggest support groups or counseling to provide the mother with emotional support as she navigates this traumatic experience.
4. Document the case thoroughly in agency records for follow-up and assessment of the situation.
Reflection on the Interview with Susan Bariko
The interview with Susan Bariko was both emotional and urgent. As a distressed mother, Susan shared a deeply troubling incident where her husband had taken their 4-months-old baby after a heated argument. The atmosphere was heavy with anxiety, and it was essential to create a supportive space where Susan could express her feelings and concerns. Throughout the discussion, I felt a strong desire to help her quickly because the safety and wellbeing of her baby were at stake.
Understanding Susan meant recognizing her as a mother in distress. She was filled with fear, anger, and betrayal. The sudden actions of her husband had left her feeling helpless and confused, especially since she was worried about her baby's needs during this critical stage of development. Her bond with her child was evident, and it was clear that her love drove her to seek immediate action.
In this interaction, my role was to be a compassionate listener and advocate for Susan. I wanted to ensure she felt heard and understood. By validating her feelings and gathering important information, I aimed to help her navigate through her emotional pain while prioritizing her concerns with the help of my supervisors at front desk section.
During the interview, certain skills were particularly useful. Active listening allowed me to hear Susan’s fears fully, while empathy helped me connect with her emotional state. Using crisis intervention techniques, such as active listening, empathy and problem solving approach I provided reassurance and guidance on how to articulate her needs. However, I realized that while my ideas about long-term emotional support were important, the immediate focus needed to be on securing her child's safety. This taught me that in urgent situations, practical action often takes precedence over long-term solutions.
Overall, I believe I achieved my goal of supporting Susan during this crisis. By guiding her to articulate her fears and needs, I helped her feel less alone in her distress. She was able to share information about her husband and the situation, which was vital for the next steps.
Looking back, I see some areas for improvement. In future situations, I can work on being more assertive in steering the conversation toward immediate actions right from the start. Moreover, I need to be more mindful of managing our time effectively, ensuring that urgent matters are addressed without delay while still providing emotional support.
Together, Susan and I made a plan to focus on actions that would help locate her baby. We agreed that contacting law enforcement and social services was the best course of action. Additionally, I suggested that she consider finding a support group or counseling services to help her cope emotionally throughout this distressing time.
As for next steps, I plan to connect Susan with law enforcement to formally report the abduction and begin a search for her child. I will coordinate with social services to provide her with immediate emotional and logistical support. Recommending support groups or counseling services will also be part of our plan. Finally, I will ensure that everything discussed is documented and will be kept condimental thoroughly in agency records for future follow-ups and assessments of the situation.
In conclusion, the interview highlighted the importance of understanding and compassion when dealing with urgent situations like Susan's. By supporting her and taking immediate action, we can work together to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both the mother and her child.

summarize the above work in one single paragraph

Answer 1

On August 22, 2024, at the Community Development Office, trainee process recorder Nobert Iwares documented a distressing case involving Susan Bariko, whose 4-month-old baby, Esslyn, was abducted by her husband, Kepas, following a heated argument. Susan expressed her desperation and fear for her child's safety, emphasizing the urgency of breastfeeding and the emotional trauma for both herself and the infant. Nobert utilized active listening, empathy, crisis intervention techniques, and information gathering to support Susan, while acknowledging the need for immediate legal action, emotional support, and safety planning. The welfare services' role includes child protection, crisis intervention, legal guidance, and resource provision, ensuring that Susan's rights and needs are met. The meeting underscored the importance of timely and compassionate response to urgent situations and concluded with steps to connect Susan with law enforcement and social services for further assistance and to document the case for future follow-up.