Minnesota still screens in significantly fewer maltreatment reports than most states. But some worry that helping more children will lead to removing more of them from their families, leading to significant trauma.
There is no disagreement that taking children from their parents is traumatic. But it is less so than being killed. Currently one Minnesota child is murdered by their caregivers every 6.7 weeks. Those who survive the maltreatment suffer lifelong adverse consequences, including difficulty in forming relationships, poor self-control, lower earnings, and chronic health problems.
The question is whether current policies strike a responsible balance between the trauma children experience from leaving their families compared to that of staying.
This is not a choice between being pro-family or pro-child. It is about making difficult decisions from the child’s perspective so we give appropriate weight to their safety and well-being.
For a more detailed discussion, read the transcript here.
