Should I call the police if my parents are fighting? Surely you can call the police, but you have to be aware of the four risky outcomes. You should call but not unless there is physical violence or it appears one is in danger of harm.
I will discuss three possible outcomes of calling the police on your parents. Each outcome depends on various factors, including your relationship with your parents and the severity of the fight. Hopefully, this information will help you make the best decision for yourself and your family!
Let me share a story from Jessica, who is 13 years old and living with her parents in Texas:
My parents’ fight makes me scared because I don’t know what will happen. Sometimes they might hurt each other, and that’s why I hide in fear. I don’t want to call the police because I fear it will worsen things. Should I call?
Sorry for the Jessica. It is tough to decide when you are in the middle of the situation. It sounds like your parents might have a history of violence, which makes your decision even more difficult.
If there has been physical violence in the past or you are afraid that someone might get hurt, you should definitely call the police. The police can help diffuse the situation and make sure everyone is safe.
On the other hand, if your parents are just arguing and there is no history of violence, calling the police might not be the best idea.
The police may not be able to do anything, and it could make your parents even angrier. In this case, it might be better to try and talk to your parents or wait until they have calmed down.
Should I Call the Police If My Parents are Fighting? 4 Risky Outcomes
There is no easy answer to this question, and it ultimately depends on your individual situation. However, I hope that the information below will help make decisions for anyone like Jessica.
#1. The police will come, calm everyone down and leave:
The first outcome is that the police come and diffuse the situation. If your parents are arguing and there is no history of nasty violence, the police may be able to talk to them and help calm things down. This is usually the best-case scenario and can help prevent any further escalation.
This normally happens if there is no serious injuries or sign of domestic violence for the fighting The police will come and give a warning to both parties to stop fighting and cool down the situation
In some cases, the police may even take one or both of your parents away for a short time to help calm them down. However, they will usually be released within a few hours, and nothing further will happen.
So, if you think the fight is getting out of control and someone might get hurt, calling the police is a good idea to stop them.
#2. One or both of your parents get arrested on the charge of domestic violence:
The second outcome is that one or both of your parents get arrested. This is more likely to happen if there has been physical violence or someone is in danger of being hurt.
If the police come and see that one parent has been physically harmed, they may arrest the other parent. Or, if they believe that someone is in danger of being harmed, they may decide to arrest both parents to prevent further violence.
This is a more serious outcome and can result in your parents spending some time in jail. If this happens, you will likely be placed in the care of another family member or friend.
Your parents might get charged with DV (domestic violence) and be forced to attend a 52-week-long DV class, not to mention have a criminal record. This is part of the anger management classes.
They might be removed from the house and unable to return until the case is over. If guns are in the house, they will most likely be removed as well. Even they might spend time in jail if the situation is very bad and need to get a bail to out of jail. It will cost huge money and mental pressure on the bail and lawyer.
They will have to carry this tag of domestic violence for a long time, limiting their future job opportunities and impacting their social life. In future events, the police will act first and ask questions later because the DV label says they can be violent.
Sometimes, it may be the best option to prevent further violence. But in other cases, it could make things much worse for your family.
#3. Arrest them for disturbing the peace:
The third outcome is that the police come and arrest both of your parents for disturbing the peace. This is more likely to happen if there is a lot of noise or if things are getting out of control.
Your parents will usually be released within a few hours, but they may have to pay a fine. This is not as serious as the above outcome, but it can still be a hassle for your family.
#4. Might be charged for child abuse:
The fourth outcome is that they might be charged with child abuse. If the police come and see that your parents are fighting, they may assume you are being abused.
This is more likely to happen if there is evidence of physical violence or if someone is in danger of being harmed. Even if the fighting is only verbal, you may still be considered a victim of abuse if the police believe you are in danger.
This is a very serious outcome and can result in your parents losing custody of you due to their tunability to arrange a proper living condition for you. You may be placed in the care of another family member or friend, or you may be placed in foster care.
Do you want to know more about how to deal with parents fighting each other at home? I think watching the below video will be worth off:
FAQs on Should I Call the Police If My Parents are Fighting
What other thing can I do without calling the police while my parents are fighting?
If you don’t want to call the police, you can do a few things to try and stop the fight. You can try to talk to your parents and get them to calm down. You can also try physically separating them if you think someone will get hurt.
After stopping the fight, you may try to convince them to see a therapist to help them deal with their anger. If they are unwilling to seek help, you may need to consider calling the police the next time they fight.
If there are any serious issues between them about related to property or any other valuable matter, you may suggest they go through a mediation process to solve their problems outside of the court.
You may also seek help from the department of social services or human services. They can help at a very low cost or even free if they go in voluntarily. No charges may be filed if the people involved can resolve the argument peacefully and figure out what they want.
Can I get in trouble for calling the police on my parents?
No, you will not get in trouble for calling the police on your parents. The police are there to help keep people safe and will not punish you for trying to stop a fight.
Should I call 911 if my parents are fighting?
If you think someone is in danger of being hurt, you should call 911 immediately. The police will come to your house and try to resolve the situation. If they believe someone is in danger, they may arrest one or both of your parents.
Can the police do anything if my parents are fighting?
Yes, the police can do something if your parents are fighting. They can try to talk to your parents and get them to calm down. They can also separate them if they think someone will get hurt. If the situation is very serious, they may arrest your parents.
Do all parents fight?
Yes, almost all parents fight. This is a part of life. It is not a happy part, but it happens. Some fights go too serious some are just small disagreements.
But this should not be a regular thing. If it is, you should consider getting help from a therapist or the Department of Social Services.
Why do my parents keep fighting?
There could be a lot of reasons why parents fight. It could be because they are stressed, have different opinions, or are tired. Sometimes, parents fight because they need to let out their frustrations. Fighting is not a good way to deal with problems, but sometimes it happens.
Does parents fighting affect a child?
Yes, parents fighting can affect a child. It can be scary to see your parents fight, making you worry about what will happen next. If your parents fight a lot, it can also make you feel like you have to choose sides. This can be very stressful for a child.
Why do I cry when my parents fight?
There could be a few reasons why you cry when your parents fight. It could be because you are scared, you feel like you have to choose sides, or you are just really sad. If your parents fight a lot, you must talk to someone about how you feel. A therapist or counsellor can help you deal with your feelings and learn how to cope with your parents fighting.
Do babies remember parents fighting?
Babies may not remember the specifics of their parent’s fighting, but they can be affected by it. If your parents fight a lot, your baby may learn that fighting is a normal way to deal with problems. This can be harmful to your child’s development. It is important to keep the peace in your home, even if it is difficult.
Conclusion:
So, if you are thinking about calling the police because your parents are fighting, you should only do so if you think someone is in danger of being hurt. Otherwise, it might be best to try and talk to your parents or wait until they have calmed down.