When something isof value to you, you pay close attention to it. That's why Wal-Mart knows where a pair of shoes are from the time they leave the factory in China until they pass the cash register. They matter. But we don't do the same for children.
Brief Description: Expands the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System to include data on how courts are responding to crimes against children.
Background:
In 2009, PROTECT won a groundbreaking victory with passage of the Virginia Child Protection System. But opposition from many in the child protection and justice systems left just data from the social services reported. In 2010, PROTECT is back to expand this beginning, with legislation to give citizens access to data from Virginia's criminal courts.
More Detail:
Children enter the great maw of the child protection and justice system and are too often simply lost. We send vulnerable boys and girls into bureaucracies so big and tough they bring adults to their knees. Yet, the bright sunshine of accountability rarely follows.
Sunshine is one of the most important reforms possible to advance child protection. Yet, in 2009, all 50 states still wait for a successful accountability model, one that will give citizens the information they need to know how their public servants are doing when it comes to their most sacred obligation.
Asking public systems to open themselves to greater transparency and accountability is not easy. It's far more challenging than just putting another law on the books.
Circle of Trust Campaign
The vast majority of child sexual abuse victims are hurt by adults in
their own family or daily circle of trust. Yet,... + Full Story
Victory in VirginiaWednesday, 17 February 2010PROTECT won a big victory for sunshine and accountability yesterday in the Virginia legislature! Stay tuned for detailed... + Full Story
Virginia website surprisesWednesday, 18 November 2009Say County A and County B both get 45 child abuse and neglect reports. But while County A investigates 80% of its reports,... + Full Story
Virginia Sunlight UpdateTuesday, 17 November 2009New rays of sunlight are visible in Virginia, now that PROTECT's 2009 Virginia Child Protection and Accountability System ... + Full Story
Landslide takes Shannon in VAWednesday, 04 November 2009Steve Shannon, who ran for Attorney General on a platform of rescuing children from the State's known child pornography... + Full Story
National News Wire
Victory in VirginiaWednesday, 17 February 2010PROTECT won a big victory for sunshine and accountability yesterday in the Virginia legislature! Stay tuned for detailed news...
+ Full Story
Cybersecurity bill passes U.S. HouseSunday, 14 February 2010
If you believe that commercial and sexual exploitation of American children is a national security issue... and that "cybersecurity" must include securing cyberspace against... + Full Story