Your Question
Hi, my daughter (15) is on a homestay with a family in co Galway. She is Spanish. I’m concerned about some details she’s mentioned regarding the host father. 1. He came into her bedroom one morning, said something she didn’t understand and then left. 2. He asked my daughter and the Italian student, female, similar age, what the word ‘puta’ means. Puta in english means ‘whore’. My daughter declined to answer at first and then said it means ‘prostitute’ when the man pushed for an answer. Then he pointed to the two girls ans said ‘puta uno and puta ella’ which i can only assume is his attempt to call both girls whores. I just needed to ask some advice, as I don’t know what to do, or if maybe there’s a misunderstanding, and in Irish the word puta or ella mean something different? It’s also strange as the family don’t want my daughter to share her social medía contact with other Spanish students in the area. I feel like this could be a type of isolation to complement the potential grooming behaviour.
Answer
Welcome to Ask Robyn
Hi there,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. We understand how worrying this situation must feel for you.
The behaviour described
Based on what you have described, it is important to take your daughter’s feelings seriously. The behaviour you outlined, including entering her bedroom without a clear reason and making inappropriate comments, is concerning. The word “puta” in Spanish means “prostitute” or “whore” and it does not have an alternative meaning in Irish that would explain this behaviour. If this was said in the way your daughter described, it is not appropriate.
Contacting the organising body
We would advise making contact with the homestay organisation or agency responsible for arranging the placement as soon as possible and clearly outlining your concerns. They have a duty of care to ensure that students are safe and appropriately supervised. It may also be helpful to document everything your daughter has told you, including dates and details, in case this information is needed.
Prioritising your daughter’s safety
If your daughter continues to feel uncomfortable, isolated, or unsafe, you should consider removing her from the placement while the matter is being reviewed. Her safety and wellbeing must come first.
Regarding restrictions on social media contact, while some host families set guidelines around phone or internet use, preventing contact with other students could contribute to isolation. This is something that should also be raised with the organising body.
Further support in Ireland
If you need further advice or support in Ireland, you can contact us at ISPCC. We provide information and support to parents and concerned adults. You can find many helpful resources on our website at ispcc.ie/. We also offer a Support Line from 9.00am to 1.00pm, Monday to Friday, on 01 522 4300.
We hope this is helpful, and please do not hesitate to seek further support if needed.
Take care,
Robyn
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