|
Guardian Ad Litem Program |
|
Providing a voice to
DC’s abused and neglected children
Did you know?
- In the District of Columbia, 2,500 abused and neglected children are under court supervision - the
majority living in Wards 7 and 8.
- Nationally,
more than 60 percent of child victims of abuse were neglected by their
parents or other caregivers; almost 20 percent were physically
abused, 10 percent were sexually abused,
and five percent were emotionally maltreated. Children in the age group of
birth to three years had the highest rate
of victimization.
- While
injuries may not be immediately visible, abuse and neglect can have
consequences for children, families, and society that last
lifetimes. These effects can include damage to a child’s brain which
causes cognitive delays or emotional difficulties; psychological problems
that result in high-risk behaviors, depression, anxiety; or chronic health problems such as cancer and
obesity.
What is the Guardian ad Litem Program?
Under the Guardian ad Litem Program, The Children’s Law Center
provides attorneys to serve as the voice for hundreds of DC’s abused and
neglected children. Guardians ad Litem, also known as GALs, serve
a unique role in that their only concern is the well being and safety of
the child. The GAL ensures that the
child’s specific, individual needs are recognized and met. It is only through meeting these needs that at-risk children are given hope and the opportunity to succeed.
The Children’s Law Center
represents 500 neglected children each year.
What difference does the Guardian ad Litem Program make?
- Ruth,
a trembling 13-year old, felt like she was facing the world alone after being
removed from her home. Three years of abuse by her mother’s
boyfriend had left her angry, scarred and defenseless. After getting Ruth into
a safe home and into
therapy, Ruth’s GAL discovered that Ruth’s mother was being abused by the
boyfriend as well. Knowing how much Ruth
missed her mother’s love, CLC helped Ruth’s mother get a restraining order to
keep the boyfriend away, then we helped her get parenting classes and therapy
so that she had the strength and tools to provide a safe, loving home for her
daughter and herself. After nine months,
Ruth returned home to the mother who had always loved her.
-
10-year old Dante had been beaten
with an electrical cord and abused by his father. Acting out his anger, Dante lashed out at
friends and bounced in and out of five homes in two years. With his GAL’s help,
Dante received therapy and was adopted
by a loving woman who understood his history and his needs. Secure that his new mother wouldn’t abandon
him, Dante agreed to go to counseling.
He’s learning he is not responsible for the bad things in his life – and
he’s learning to trust his new mother’s love.
|
