Protecting Kids from Abuse and Neglect

1. Close to a million children every year are the substantiated victims of abuse or neglect within their families.

2. Statistically, children are far more likely to be harmed within their own homes than to be injured by strangers, teachers, or other adults in the community.

3. The best interests of children are supposed to be a focus of government efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect, especially after a judicial finding that child maltreatment has occurred.

4. Once children enter the foster care system, it is in their best interests to be in a safe environment, to have the process of legal intervention promote permanency in their lives, to have access to quality legal representation, and to have the courts effectively monitor their care and service needs. For example, it is possible to become a “forgotten child” within the system, and the public can play a role in seeing that this does not happen.

5. Much has been accomplished in recent years, through a federally supported State Court Improvement Program, to enhance systems of legal representation, speed the resolution of court proceedings, and obtain legally secure permanent homes for these children. The community can play a role in working to secure such court improvements.

6. The laws are commonly criticized as inadequate, and the responses by courts have also been viewed as too hesitant to support intervention with troubled families. Again, the public and child advocacy groups have a role to play in attempting to improve the system.

Discussion Questions
Child abuse and neglect is, for many, an uncomfortable topic to discuss. Here are some themes that could be explored:

• Over-intervening, under-intervening, or both: Is the law helping us do the right thing for abused and neglected children?
• Improving the judicial system response: What more is needed?
• How can we enhance the work of lawyers for children and court-appointed special advocates?
• What can we do to improve the difficult task of Child Protective Services?
• How can we assure that those who commit crimes against children will be prosecuted?
• What types of new laws might help better protect children?

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