Topics

One Comment

1. 
   Sherri Allen said: On January 29, 2013 at 3:48 PM

   The recent decision by the County Board to add an additional social worker to deal with child abuse is a step in the right direction. While we all approve of doing more on this issue the focus of the editorial should not be on County Board members doing the job we elected them for, but rather why it took so long for them to realize the extent of the problem. Your editorial states that the problem grew from “about 3,400 reports in 2011 to about 4,600 reports last year and the County Board is just waking up to the problem and addressing it by hiring of a temporary, full-time social worker specifically to handle the child placement case load for up to 67 days. This decision is fraught with problems, and no one in the County administration or at County Board seems to be asking what really needs to be done to curb child abuse in the County. Clearly there is a lack of leadership in the County that allows a situation to grow to this alarming number without swift action prior to seeking a temporary solution of hiring a temporary worker.

   Are we to believe that the Human Service Director has not been reporting this increase on a monthly basis. If not, the Board should demand answers, so that they could be informed to make timely decisions and start looking for a replacement. This is a disgrace to have an increase of 1,200 child abuse reports before taking action.

   During the state shutdown, the former County Administrator immediately contacted the White Earth Children’s Court to determine if they would be able to insure the safety of children and incompetents within the boundaries of the reservation, as well as other children who have been declared to be wards of the children’s court. White Earth confirmed that they would do everything to protect children. This is the type of leadership the County needs to deal with this massive increase of child abuse, not waiting until a problem becomes an emergency.

   Wake up County Board! Child abuse is a community problem, not a temporary hiring issue. The emotion of this issue runs high, but reality must prevail and full accountability with a plan of action is needed.

   When a child is physically beaten or sexually abused, the ideal set of events is that doctors treat the injuries, therapists counsel the child, social services works with the family, police/sheriff arrest the offender, and attorneys prosecute the case. To promote this response, effective community intervention involves the formation of a child protection team that includes professionals from medicine, criminal justice, social work, and education who understand and appreciate the different roles, responsibilities, strengths, and weaknesses of the other team members but cooperate and coordinate their efforts. Abused children need your intervention. In their helplessness, they must rely on capable adults who are willing to take a stand and get them out of an abusive environment. It’s time for Becker County to form such a team to stop child abuse.

   If you want to editorialize on the issue, I recommend you take a stand not on hiring a temporary employee but demand real solutions. How much more reassuring would it have been if you provided information on how each of us could stop child abuse when we see it and urge the County to take action.

   Wouldn’t it have been great if your editorial was focused on what to do if you’re concerned that a child may be abused. Simple, practical ideas could have been included.

   Here’s some positive things I wish you would have provided:

   • Call the National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child). During your anonymous call, their counselors can help you evaluate the situation and help you make a child abuse report to the proper authorities. If you are nervous about making a report, they will even stay on the line during a 3-way call to offer you support.
   • If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

   Together we can help put a stop to child abuse!

   Like or Dislike: 2  1

   Log in to Reply