tattling

[mburbank]

What's your take on the neighbor that told you?

While I'm not at all against calling the hospital if you think something may be going on, I have seen allegations like this, and calls to DSS used as a form of warfare between neighbors who don't like each other. I hate to say that, but my wife (who is a mandated reporter) see it a lot.

If you become friendly with her, you'll see signs. The folks at the Hospital are mandated reporters too, and they will be aware of signs even if you don't call them, and may be fairly leary of anonymous tips for the very reason I was speaking of before.

It is way harder to get an abused partner to separate from her abuser than it should be, and only they can do it. If you do end up getting to know her better and you think she is getting hit, you could simply let her know there are places that would help her and give her the number of whatever group works with battered women. Be careful, though. This kind of shit can be very dicey.