Daylight

They are surely the most vulnerable people who exist in a community like Prince Edward County. Traumatized, and perhaps already abused, children are taken from their homes, their families—their whole world—and put in another home with strangers. To be safe.

They are young. Damaged. Often neglected. They’ve seen very little stability in their lives—now they must adapt to life in a new home, a new family, a new sense of order. They may be confused, angry and withdrawn.

They don’t have a voice. No one listens. Has ever listened. They feel utterly alone in the world—reliant on strangers to keep them warm and fed. Dependent. Exposed. Sexual predators understand this vulnerability instinctively. They prey upon it. They insinuate themselves into the lives of defenceless children. Then they shroud themselves within established and respected organizations inclined to cover up individual indiscretions.

The Catholic Church. The Boy Scouts. Slowly but surely the light is being shone upon these organizations and revealing the disappointing extent to which these groups will go to cover up crimes and protect the perpetrators— for the sake of the organization.

Let this not happen at the local CAS.

It is wrong, of course, to suggest that all foster parents abuse children in their care. It is surely the case that the vast majority of County families who open their homes and lives to these desperate children do so for the best of reasons and with the most heartfelt intentions.

But it is clear as well that some foster parents have abused the vulnerable children they have agreed to care for in this community. We can’t look the other way.

At least nine girls have now come forward accusing at least six foster parents of sexually abusing and exploiting them while living in their care. Three foster parents have been convicted of their crimes and sentenced to prison terms — though one is appealing his conviction . Three others will answer to an array of .sexual abuse charges in the weeks ahead.

Isn’t it well past time we heeded the advice of Judge Geoff Griffin when he urged this community to demand an inquiry into the local Children’s Aid Society during a sentencing hearing last year?

It was clear to him, and certainly should be clear to the rest of us by now, that the CAS failed in its fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety of children entrusted to its care. It failed to properly screen prospective foster parents to guard against potential predatory abuse. It failed to monitor these children to ensure they were kept safe. And when young children accused their foster parent of sexually abusing them—they removed the accusing children and put other vulnerable children the predator’s hands.

The local CAS failed in its most solemn duty— to protect the children in its care. Not an isolated case mind you—but a pattern has emerged. But a pattern of what? Neglect? Incompetence? Or worse?

Is it a systemic issue? Does it infect the entire organization or is it isolated to some individuals? Is it a lack of training, resources or staff?

These are just some of the questions that need to be answered.

We can continue to express our shock and dismay as police and prosecutors drag offenders to prison. But eventually, and I pray it is soon, we will demand to know what went wrong in this agency— so that it can be fixed. So that it never happens again.

CAS board members, staff and foster families should welcome this examination. Everyone involved in the CAS system is now working under a dark cloud that has accumulated over this agency. The doors need to be opened wide and the light allowed in.

The notion that this is a problem that can be managed behind closed doors is just wrong and ultimately futile. The issues cannot be allowed to disappear into a larger amalgamated regional agency.

In fact, it would be in Highland Shores Children’s Aid’s interest to lead such a public examination of what went wrong here. As they embark on this new venture, it is crucial that the new combined agency doesn’t inherit the problems that existed here.

It is in their interest—as much as ours—to root out the problems and expose them to daylight. To do this they must battle the instinct to “manage” the spin.

By now they must know it is far too late for that.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca