An interesting way to talk about Fentanyl - This Calgary Herald article puts harm reduction out front.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Should parents with disabilities be allowed to keep their kids
A ruling in the US state of Massachusetts has raised the debate on whether parents with disabilities should be allowed to keep their children. Today Parent writes about a mother who won a 2 year battle to have custody of her baby who was apprehended by child protection soon after birth. This is an important decision when considered as part of the larger discussion about how people with disabilities are treated in our society.
This mother has what is called, "mild intellectual disability." Such a person would have a number of functional strengths along with some deficits. Yet, as the article notes, the odds are heavily stacked against persons with disabilities:
I am of the view that disabilities require their own form of assessment for parental capacity. Key issues that must be addressed include:
There are, no doubt, other questions. There is a need for an environmental scan that will put the mother and child into a context where supports can be seen. Gaps would also be seen that could then be explored for supports.
This mother's mild intellectual disability is also part of the discussion. Disability exists on a continuum from quite mild to quite severe. Disability is not a one size fits all issue. Intellectual disabilities are getting better attention when child protection issues are considered. One disability that needs better attention is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Despite the word spectrum, it is often thought of as one disorder that comes in one form - disastrous. But it too has a spectrum.
Too much of the FASD and other disability literature has been written about the more profound forms of disorders. Let us begin to assess each parent for what they might be able to do and how that can work well enough for the child with the right supports in place.
Certainly not every parent is going to be able to do it - but many can and should be allowed.
To borrow a social work concept, let's consider the parent ecologically - individual strengths, immediate supports, external supports (such as parent coaching) and systemic supports such as health nurses and financial supports. Very few of us manage on our own.
This mother has what is called, "mild intellectual disability." Such a person would have a number of functional strengths along with some deficits. Yet, as the article notes, the odds are heavily stacked against persons with disabilities:
An estimated 4.1 million parents have disabilities in the United States — roughly 6.2 percent of all parents with children under 18, according to the National Council on Disability. Removal rates for children whose parents have an intellectual disability can be 40 to 80 percent, the council estimates.
I am of the view that disabilities require their own form of assessment for parental capacity. Key issues that must be addressed include:
- Does the parent have the ability to see the child for who he/she is?
- Does the parent also recognize that the child has needs that will change with age?
- Can the parent identify current needs and respond?
- If there are limits to the above, what supports are in place or could be put in place that would help with the deficits? In this case, the parents of the mother made home and support available?
- How, in fact, does the parent manage day to day requirements for self and the child?
There are, no doubt, other questions. There is a need for an environmental scan that will put the mother and child into a context where supports can be seen. Gaps would also be seen that could then be explored for supports.
This mother's mild intellectual disability is also part of the discussion. Disability exists on a continuum from quite mild to quite severe. Disability is not a one size fits all issue. Intellectual disabilities are getting better attention when child protection issues are considered. One disability that needs better attention is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Despite the word spectrum, it is often thought of as one disorder that comes in one form - disastrous. But it too has a spectrum.
Too much of the FASD and other disability literature has been written about the more profound forms of disorders. Let us begin to assess each parent for what they might be able to do and how that can work well enough for the child with the right supports in place.
Certainly not every parent is going to be able to do it - but many can and should be allowed.
To borrow a social work concept, let's consider the parent ecologically - individual strengths, immediate supports, external supports (such as parent coaching) and systemic supports such as health nurses and financial supports. Very few of us manage on our own.
The other aspect of the Massachusetts case is the role of kinship care. This has become almost a mantra in child protection to find kinship supports. So let's start there when working with persons with disability. Many have been using kinship, other informal and formal supports for most of their lives. Why would we not allow that as part of entering parenting as opposed to thinking that such a parent is going to go it alone.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Jail Time for Social Workers?
UK Prime Minister David Cameron is raising the notion of social workers facing jail time, perhaps up to five years, for failing to protect children from sexual abuse. A summary of the proposal is covered by Community Care. One can easily see why this idea has come forward in the UK. Recently, there have been very high profile cases in which social workers failed to protect children from large scale abuses. A serious care review in Oxfordshire has shown that workers had knowledge that would have allowed them to protect girls.
There has also been the recent case of Rochdale where there have been multiple victims. But the story of sexual abuse in the UK has been a relentless story in the media. There is the recent conviction of former rock star Gary Glitter for sexual abuse several years ago. The Jimmy Savile case in the UK has shown a profound pattern of sexual abuse over many years with hundreds of victims. Savile, a former BBC pop music icon had access to children in many places.
In Australia, a Royal Commission continues to hear story after story of those in authority who failed to act to protect children when the information was available that something was wrong. There too, the stories seem relentless.
In the UK, the public must be weary of the ongoing media coverage of how children have not been protected by child protection - Victoria Climbie, Daniel Pelka, Baby Peter, Khyra Ishaq - and these are only the recent ones. Confidence in the ability of child protection to do their job can only be fragile given these stories. They must be asking what's wrong?
It is in this environment that Cameron raises the idea that social workers could face jail time for being wilfully blind to the risks that children are facing. It could be an idea that can gain public traction easily. Yet, is it the right thing?
Such as approach fails to ask some very key questions:
1. There are many other professionals involved such as police, doctors, health care, teachers - how will they be held accountable?
2. There are questions of caseloads - what can a worker be expected to do with caseloads of 20-30 oe even higher?
3. There is leadership - what is the role of supervisors, managers and community leaders?
4. There is training - have front line workers been given the training needed to see what is going on. Sexual abuse is a specialized area but front line workers are generalists.
5. Inter agency coordination is essential but it remains one of the key areas of difficulty.
The approach also fails to recognize how often these investigations are inconclusive. Very few cases go sexual abuse have physical evidence. It takes quite skilled investigators to work through these cases. Are we putting such skilled workers in place?
There is also the consideration that this may act to drive social workers away from child protection which is possibly the most complex and challenging form of social work. The turnover rates are high meaning that seasoned, skilled workers with this sort of specialized knowledge are not plentiful.
I can well see why Cameron (who may also be facing an election soon) can find this proposal appealing. It may not be the best way to go, however. But his concern is valid while the solution may not be.
There has also been the recent case of Rochdale where there have been multiple victims. But the story of sexual abuse in the UK has been a relentless story in the media. There is the recent conviction of former rock star Gary Glitter for sexual abuse several years ago. The Jimmy Savile case in the UK has shown a profound pattern of sexual abuse over many years with hundreds of victims. Savile, a former BBC pop music icon had access to children in many places.
In Australia, a Royal Commission continues to hear story after story of those in authority who failed to act to protect children when the information was available that something was wrong. There too, the stories seem relentless.
In the UK, the public must be weary of the ongoing media coverage of how children have not been protected by child protection - Victoria Climbie, Daniel Pelka, Baby Peter, Khyra Ishaq - and these are only the recent ones. Confidence in the ability of child protection to do their job can only be fragile given these stories. They must be asking what's wrong?
It is in this environment that Cameron raises the idea that social workers could face jail time for being wilfully blind to the risks that children are facing. It could be an idea that can gain public traction easily. Yet, is it the right thing?
Such as approach fails to ask some very key questions:
1. There are many other professionals involved such as police, doctors, health care, teachers - how will they be held accountable?
2. There are questions of caseloads - what can a worker be expected to do with caseloads of 20-30 oe even higher?
3. There is leadership - what is the role of supervisors, managers and community leaders?
4. There is training - have front line workers been given the training needed to see what is going on. Sexual abuse is a specialized area but front line workers are generalists.
5. Inter agency coordination is essential but it remains one of the key areas of difficulty.
The approach also fails to recognize how often these investigations are inconclusive. Very few cases go sexual abuse have physical evidence. It takes quite skilled investigators to work through these cases. Are we putting such skilled workers in place?
There is also the consideration that this may act to drive social workers away from child protection which is possibly the most complex and challenging form of social work. The turnover rates are high meaning that seasoned, skilled workers with this sort of specialized knowledge are not plentiful.
I can well see why Cameron (who may also be facing an election soon) can find this proposal appealing. It may not be the best way to go, however. But his concern is valid while the solution may not be.
Monday, February 16, 2015
5 Steps that institutions can take to protect children
We have been seeing in the media, more and more stories about the abuse of children involved with various institutions. A recent story tells how the Jehova's Witnesses covered up abuse. In Australia, there has been a Royal Commission looking into institutional abuse. It seems each chapter of their work reveals more breadth and depth of abuse.
In the United Kingdom, there has been the Rotherham story where 1400 children have been exploited. Authorities failed to act.
The reality is that children typically do not disclose abuse and when they do, they are telling the truth the vast majority of the time - we need to listen. So what can institutions do to better manage - here are 5 thoughts:
In the United Kingdom, there has been the Rotherham story where 1400 children have been exploited. Authorities failed to act.
The reality is that children typically do not disclose abuse and when they do, they are telling the truth the vast majority of the time - we need to listen. So what can institutions do to better manage - here are 5 thoughts:
The long term impacts of child abuse in institutions is well documented. One only need to look at the impact of the Residential Schools in Canada. One recent story shows how one community is still tackling the impact of the St. Michael's school in Alert Bay, B.C.
Institutions owe a duty to those in their care.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Rape Culture, Child Protection and 50 Shades of Grey
The connection may not seem so obvious. But, let's take a moment to consider.
- We have seen a significant increase in concern about the impact of domestic violence. High profile cases in sports and the entertainment fields have heightened awareness of the problem. Several post secondary institutions have found themselves in the spotlight for failing to address the issue. A quick look at The Huffington Post illustrates the point.
- In Canada, we have watched as the question of consent in sexual relationships has derailed the career of broadcaster Jion Ghomeshi. While he still awaits trial, he has several accusers. Presently on trial in Europe is former head the IMF Dominique Strauss-Kahn for what he apparently acknowledged to be a proclivity for rougher sex than might average man. At the heart of his story are again issues of consent.
- Sexual abuse is a high profile concern. The Roman Catholic church is burdened with working its way through years upon years of such abuse to children. In Australia at the moment, a Royal Commission is hearing about a variety of institutional sexual abuse stories. The BBC reports on the recent conviction of former rock star Gary Glitter for abuse of teenagers some years back.
- Domestic violence, including sexual assault is a significant issue in child protection matters.
At the heart of this is the question of what chidden are exposed to and what is consent. Does a woman consent to be beaten by a partner? Does a child consent to sex with an adult? Does a drunken woman consent to sex when she is too impaired to really consent? These are complex questions requiring careful consideration but those in a powerless or subordinate position are really not able to consent.
Thus, how the media plays out the issue of consent matters to society at large. 50 Shades of Grey sets up a standard for consent that suggests it might not be so voluntary and yet still acceptable. Fox News and The Atlantic have both offered thoughtful pieces on how the books and the movie are really depicting non consensual sex which must then be characterized as some level of abuse. I'm pretty sure that view will not be welcomed by the millions of followers. It's also worth noting that the BDSM community is not welcoming this movie as exemplary of what they perceive to be voluntary, consensual activity in this sexual arena.
But if we want to create safer families and communities for children, should we not be connecting the dots between the various forces the impact how that safety is defined and created? When we make a media sensation out of non-consensual sex, and do so in a way that says this is ok, then we are enabling sexual and gender based violence. That's a problem.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Sexual Abuse and Consent: UK Judge gets it wrong
The BBC has reported:
While the sentence seems quite low for the offence, what is most concerning is the context of the sentence. This is a case where a teacher was in a position of trust in a school. He entered into a relationship with a 16 year old student at the time that his wife miscarried with their second child. More can be found on the story on the BBC.
The most disconcerting part of the story is, however, a view that the judge felt the child had become obsessed with Kerner and thus, groomed Kerner. In other words, the court is putting responsibility for the sexual abuse on the victim. Such a view states that the obligations of a person in authority can be modified based upon the child's behaviours. Let's expand the thought - if a child is highly oppositional, rude and perhaps even violent, then violence by a teacher in return might be permissible. But that is not allowed because we expect the adult to be able to manage their emotions, stay in control and respond in a measured and safe manner.
In this case, the failure of the adult, Kerner, to control himself is being excused because of his personal circumstances and the obsessive behaviours of the child. This is a very dangerous line of reasoning that, if applied in a variety of other criminal matters, diminishes the responsibility of the perpetrator and increases the responsibility of the victim.
This decision also missed the mark when the child is considered. This was her first sexual experience. She was 15 when the relationship appears to get underway. Her notion of relationship, sex, boundaries and even love will be highly underdeveloped. Her executive functioning is that of a 15 - 16 year old which means that she is more likely to be influenced by emotion and impulsivity than rational, long term thinking. Kerner, on the other hand, at 44 years of age, should be expected to have the maturity to work his way though both his emotions and the responsibilities of his position.
The judge has also failed to understand that Kerner was part of a system responsible for protecting children. Schools are meant to be safe places. Teachers are meant to be guardians of that safety. Kerner did not offer that. He compromised it for this student but also for all students by making a behavioural statement about what is acceptable.
I have no doubt that Kerner has paid quite a price for his behaviour. He is not able to work with children meaning that his career is in shambles. He has been subject to a great deal of public media. But these are all the result of choices that he made as an adult. There are the unspoken victims as well - his family, children as well the school, colleagues and the other children who had been aware of the relationship which would have created confusion for them.
This case matters because the courts have made a statement about responsibility that needs to be challenged.
Stuart Kerner, 44, from Kent, received an 18-month suspended sentence for two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
While the sentence seems quite low for the offence, what is most concerning is the context of the sentence. This is a case where a teacher was in a position of trust in a school. He entered into a relationship with a 16 year old student at the time that his wife miscarried with their second child. More can be found on the story on the BBC.
Stuart Kerner
The most disconcerting part of the story is, however, a view that the judge felt the child had become obsessed with Kerner and thus, groomed Kerner. In other words, the court is putting responsibility for the sexual abuse on the victim. Such a view states that the obligations of a person in authority can be modified based upon the child's behaviours. Let's expand the thought - if a child is highly oppositional, rude and perhaps even violent, then violence by a teacher in return might be permissible. But that is not allowed because we expect the adult to be able to manage their emotions, stay in control and respond in a measured and safe manner.
In this case, the failure of the adult, Kerner, to control himself is being excused because of his personal circumstances and the obsessive behaviours of the child. This is a very dangerous line of reasoning that, if applied in a variety of other criminal matters, diminishes the responsibility of the perpetrator and increases the responsibility of the victim.
This decision also missed the mark when the child is considered. This was her first sexual experience. She was 15 when the relationship appears to get underway. Her notion of relationship, sex, boundaries and even love will be highly underdeveloped. Her executive functioning is that of a 15 - 16 year old which means that she is more likely to be influenced by emotion and impulsivity than rational, long term thinking. Kerner, on the other hand, at 44 years of age, should be expected to have the maturity to work his way though both his emotions and the responsibilities of his position.
The judge has also failed to understand that Kerner was part of a system responsible for protecting children. Schools are meant to be safe places. Teachers are meant to be guardians of that safety. Kerner did not offer that. He compromised it for this student but also for all students by making a behavioural statement about what is acceptable.
I have no doubt that Kerner has paid quite a price for his behaviour. He is not able to work with children meaning that his career is in shambles. He has been subject to a great deal of public media. But these are all the result of choices that he made as an adult. There are the unspoken victims as well - his family, children as well the school, colleagues and the other children who had been aware of the relationship which would have created confusion for them.
This case matters because the courts have made a statement about responsibility that needs to be challenged.
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Abuse in the Catholic Church is more than sexual
Recently demoted Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke. He has blamed the sexual abuse crisis of the Catholic Church to be related to the feminization of the Church in the 1960's.
He is quoted as saying,
This is a clear attempt at revisionist thinking suggesting that the sexual abuse of children by priests and other clergy only dates back to the 1960's. How wrong that is. One need look no further than the profound pattern of sexual abuse that occurred to Aboriginal children in the Residential Schools of Canada. Those abuses have now been documented to have gone on as far back as the early 20th century. Edmund Metatawabin, in his profoundly moving book, documents his personal story of abuse. It is a tough read but perhaps Cardinal Burke might want to read it. He will see how extensive the abuse was. His is one of a series of books that tell these painful stories. They also tell of the price that Aboriginal children, their families, their communities and subsequent generations have paid.
Pope Francis was obviously right to demote this man.
But there is a large error in the story about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church - it ignores that epidemic of physical abuse that also occurred. Many, like Metatawabin, experienced both. There are millions who experienced the physical abuse only. No one victim is better or worse than the other. Abuse in the Catholic Church was a daily occurrence in schools, churches and orphanages run by priests, nuns and brothers.
The stories are everywhere. The Church has become fixated on one form of the abuse. But strapping, hitting, whipping, name calling, put downs, shaming were all tools employed every day by clergy. The Church is not talking much about that.
A problem with highlighting the sexual abuse is that those who suffered the other forms of abuse feel as though they cannot talk because their abuse is less than those who were sexually abused. For those physically abused, they too carry the legacy.
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke
There was a period of time when men who were feminized and confused about their own sexual identity had entered the priesthood; sadly some of these disordered men sexually abused minors; a terrible tragedy for which the Church mourns.”
This is a clear attempt at revisionist thinking suggesting that the sexual abuse of children by priests and other clergy only dates back to the 1960's. How wrong that is. One need look no further than the profound pattern of sexual abuse that occurred to Aboriginal children in the Residential Schools of Canada. Those abuses have now been documented to have gone on as far back as the early 20th century. Edmund Metatawabin, in his profoundly moving book, documents his personal story of abuse. It is a tough read but perhaps Cardinal Burke might want to read it. He will see how extensive the abuse was. His is one of a series of books that tell these painful stories. They also tell of the price that Aboriginal children, their families, their communities and subsequent generations have paid.
Image: Indigo.ca
Pope Francis was obviously right to demote this man.
But there is a large error in the story about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church - it ignores that epidemic of physical abuse that also occurred. Many, like Metatawabin, experienced both. There are millions who experienced the physical abuse only. No one victim is better or worse than the other. Abuse in the Catholic Church was a daily occurrence in schools, churches and orphanages run by priests, nuns and brothers.
Brother Hull sent them outside without jackets. It was a cold day for Vancouver. There was even snow. They were made to hold their hands up so that the blood would run down and the hands would be cold. Then they were strapped (Personal memoir of the author).
The stories are everywhere. The Church has become fixated on one form of the abuse. But strapping, hitting, whipping, name calling, put downs, shaming were all tools employed every day by clergy. The Church is not talking much about that.
I was sent out to that hallway by Brother Bates to await my strapping. It would be the third time this week. I had again been caught day dreaming (Personal memoir of the author).
A problem with highlighting the sexual abuse is that those who suffered the other forms of abuse feel as though they cannot talk because their abuse is less than those who were sexually abused. For those physically abused, they too carry the legacy.
I tried to tell my mom about always getting hit. She wouldn't listen. She said that if I got into trouble that it must be my fault because the brothers were close to God (Personal memoir of the author)The strength of the abuse was in the constant fear but also in the inability to tell anyone who would care. The full extent of abuse in the Catholic Church needs to be spoken about - all the survivors, regardless of what form of abuse they suffered, deserve both a voice and an audience.
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