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County policy on child
interviews unfathomable
Re: “Abuse policy draws outrage” (Page A1, March 3).
In the early ’80s, I worked as a family therapist with abused children at Eastfield Children’s Center in Campbell. I was invited, with other providers, to tour a state-of-the-art facility for interviewing physically, sexually and emotionally abused kids, an impressive collaboration of law enforcement, CPS and county counsel.
The traumatized children were interviewed by trained CPS social workers, with law enforcement and legal personnel looking on through a one-way mirror. Parents suspected of abuse were never allowed in the room or behind the mirror, and the interviews were recorded, sparing the kids the all-too-common ordeal of having to repeat their stories multiple times.
To read now that Santa Clara County, on the heels of the county counsel’s egregious overstepping of their bounds in the preventable deaths of baby Phoenix and other children, now allows parents suspected of abuse to sit in on their children’s interviews is unfathomable.
Barry Goldman-Hall
San Jose
Child services leaders
must resign positions
Re: “Abuse policy draws outrage” (Page A1, March 3).
It is time for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to request the resignations of the directors of the Family and Children’s Services agencies whose ill-advised policies are responsible for not protecting vulnerable children but instead placing them in more danger.
The death of baby Phoenix was in part due to leaving the child with drug-addicted parents. Warning signs from experienced county social workers were ignored. A state investigation noted problems that were hidden by the directors.
Now we read of another harmful policy. Parents of suspected child abuse victims are allowed to be present when their child is interviewed.
Social workers have reported their views anonymously due to the fear of losing their jobs. I have no trust in the leaders of these agencies. Nothing reported can redeem their actions. The Board of Supervisors needs to demand reform and appoint new directors who do the job of protecting children and not themselves.
Judy Barbeau
San Jose
Would that more knew
of power of the vote
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I’m a 20-year-old student, and I voted Tuesday. I’m very proud of this fact — this is the first time I’ve been able to vote for the U.S. president.
Monday, I asked my friend and roommate if he was voting, and he responded with, “I don’t pay taxes, I don’t own land, and I’m not married. There’s no point.”
I heavily disagree. There are so many things that could change if more people voted (for better or worse is up to debate). I’ve encountered this same apathetic attitude in more than one place,though.
Voting is important. Voicing one’s opinion is important. I wish more people would see that.
Aleck Castro
San Jose
