By Karen Koehler
Child Protective Services has a notorious record. It is supposed to protect the vulnerable and weak from abuse. Statutory law requires that teachers, ministers, counselors, doctors and others report abuse so this agency can do its job. Yet time and again, it utterly fails to do anything.
The state has settled a lawsuit for $6.55 million filed on behalf of six brothers who suffered years of sexual, physical and psychological abuse despite 33 complaints filed with Child Protective Services (CPS) over their treatment. That’s RIGHT – 33 COMPLAINTS. 33 opportunities to step in and stop sexual, physical, emotional abuse and torture of these children.
Each time a case like this hits the press, CPS and DSHS say they have made “new” changes. The case worker has left. Some other excuse. Lawsuits uncover these shameful failures. And of course, the government wants to stop the lawsuits by abolishing claims for these types of cases. But until we as a society do something about actually changing CPS, lawsuits are all we have.
keepwasafe 