California Attorney General Unveils Plan to Protect Foster Care Abuse Victims
There is nothing more reprehensible than the abuse of a defenseless child, yet foster care abuse continues to be a serious issue in California. Earlier this year California Attorney General Kamala Harris rolled out a plan to better protect children, including those who landed in the state’s foster care system, with the establishment of a Bureau of Children’s Justice.
The Bureau of Children’s Justice reports that 42% of students in the foster care system do not graduate high school, and 38% of children who have “aged out” of California’s foster care system are unemployed at age 24. It is reported by the Bureau that 50% of children sold into trafficking in California are in the foster care system. Clearly, the system is broken.
Children placed under foster care were often removed from the home due to allegations of maltreatment, neglect or abuse, only to face more abuse while in foster care, whether physical, emotional, or financial.
Problems Children in Foster Care May Face
About 80 percent of inmates have had some involvement in either the foster care or welfare systems, as reported by the L.A. Times. Foster children have also been found to be more likely to perform poorly on high school exams, drop out of school, become victims of identity theft, or have physical and psychological problems as a result of abuse or neglect.
These children may live in several foster homes, and as they shift from place to place, their personal information travels with them. Unscrupulous caregivers have gained credit cards, loans or accessed medical care by using the personal information of children they fostered.
Clamping Down on the Foster Care System
The establishment of the Bureau was considered necessary to bring an end to the abuse and neglect within the foster care system, including:
- Identity theft
- Alleged physical or mental abuse
- Malnutrition or lack of proper care
- Truancy
- Sexual exploitation
- Misuse of taxpayer money
On an individual basis, cases of abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation or financial crimes should be taken up in the legal system with the assistance of a foster care abuse lawyer.
Get Help From a Foster Care Abuse Attorney in Pasadena
As a parent, you do all you can to protect your child and provide the greatest opportunity for success. Foster children must be protected from harm, whether physical, mental, emotional or financial. If you are the parent of a foster child whom you believe has suffered abuse while in the system, get help from a foster care abuse attorney in Pasadena.
For more than three decades, our firm has been providing foster care abuse victims with the protection and dedicated legal representation they deserve. We understand the sensitive nature of these cases, and work with closely with each person we represent to investigate the situation and then file legal action to pursue justice and compensation for damages.
Contact the Law Offices of Andrew Ritholz to speak with our foster care abuse lawyer, and to schedule a free consultation.