Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Officials concerned about protecting youngsters from (female) predators in child welfare system
WGN Radio ^ | 2/14/10 | Ofelia Casillas

Posted on 02/14/2010 9:59:20 AM PST by Libloather

Officials concerned about protecting youngsters from predators in child welfare system
Spotlight on female workers in wake of recent allegations
By Ofelia Casillas, Tribune Reporter
February 14, 2010

Four times recently adult women have been investigated on allegations of sexually abusing some of the state's most vulnerable teen boys— those living in child welfare facilities where they were seeking treatment for abuse, neglect or behavioral problems.

A 29-year-old teacher faces charges of having sex with a 15-year-old in Chicago. A 40-year-old instructor was convicted of having sex with a 16-year-old in a Mundelein institution. A 26-year-old Lake Villa therapist is scheduled to go on trial in April for accusations that she sexually assaulted a 14-year-old.

And now, River Forest police are investigating allegations that a woman in a care-giving role had sexual contact with a teen resident of a child welfare facility.

The string of incidents has raised concern among child welfare officials who wonder if more can be done to protect a fragile population from being preyed upon by the adults who are charged with caring for them.

**SNIP**

"Kids in the system are abused and neglected. Their whole emotional and psychological state is often fragile or compromised. To have a therapist or someone in a position of trust like this either manipulate that fragility or take advantage of it, it's abhorrent," he said.

Experts say the public is largely unaware of the problem, in part because statistics show there are fewer female than male sex offenders and because the offenses contradict the perceptions of women as motherly and nurturing. Also, society has tended to wink at such relationships, some even considering the young men lucky to get sexual attention from a more experienced woman.

(Excerpt) Read more at wgnradio.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: child; officials; predators; welfare
"This is a national epidemic. We need to talk about it," McGinnis said.

Sure sounds like it.

1 posted on 02/14/2010 9:59:21 AM PST by Libloather
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Cougars guarding the hen house...


2 posted on 02/14/2010 10:01:14 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (Save the Earth. It's the only planet with chocolate.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

“Cougars guarding the hen house...”

Did you call some older female a “cougar”!

That’s ageist!

;-)

PS Wouldn’t “chicken coop” be more accurate than “hen house”?


3 posted on 02/14/2010 10:13:19 PM PST by GladesGuru (In a society predicated upon freedom, it is essential to examine principles,)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson