Child protective services perform a critical role in our society today. It is important that we continue to support these organizations.
In the story I describe in my book “Father Figure – my mission to prevent child sexual abuse”, I am grateful that child protective services took an interest in investigating the matter. However, one of the biggest lessons I learned through this ordeal, is more about how the child protection system works in our country.
Due to the nature of privacy laws, it is difficult sometimes to be sure that Child Protective Services (CPS) will react in a fully protective manner or to get updates on your case after you have made your initial report to CPS. I often struggled with not hearing back from the person handling the investigation. I also felt frustrated when I was told that this case was a lower priority, simply because CPS had to wait for something more to occur.
There are a number of places where the child protection system in our country needs some changes. There needs to be greater focus placed on truly PREVENTING a likely hazard, just as there is in responding to one that has already occurred. I know that the vast majority of CPS workers are dedicated to this cause and that in spite of the systemic shortcomings, CPS did take some constructive actions and provided support in the story I describe in the book. Their guidance was likely essential in encouraging family members to become more involved in the story I present in my book.
I believe that one of the areas where CPS could use some more support is in the training area. It is important that more training is made available to CPS management and workers on the issues associated with child sexual abuse – how it happens, why it happens, who the offenders likely are, how to detect the possibility of it occurring, its impact, how to handle possible cases, etc”.